The Elementails - The Lost Element

Prologue

Firetail nervously skittered down the long, stone hallway. Her wings were bordered red with yellow flesh and her red-orange body and tail scales glinted against the faint lantern light. Her clay-colored horns were barely visible. Easiest of all to notice, though, was her sharp, blue eyes.

She turned suddenly into another dimly-lit cave. Inside were three other dragons, all members of the Dragon Council. Watertail scowled as Windtail clicked her tongue and said, "Told ya she'd show. She showed up, so pay up!" She was always betting to get a little money, even on simple things.

"Enough of that," Stonetail scolded. "We have more serious matters to attend to."

Watertail snapped, "Why should we? Why are you even acting like you're in charge? I should be in charge! I'm the only one with any sense here!"

Says the dragon that always has that crazed look, Firetail thought in disdain, then realized she too was bickering like the other females. "Everyone," she started apologetically, "I think we should focus instead of getting wrapped up in other matters." Watertail, Windtail, and Stonetail did shift their attention to her. And then bombarded her with insults.

"Quiet!" All of the dragons grew silent. Flowertail walked into the room, radiating authority. "I didn't want to have to come," she hissed, "but I see I have no choice.

"Today we gather here in honor of Firetail," Flowertail began. All eyes turned to her as she shied away, embarrassed. "For today is the day of her first heir!" Everyone gasped in surprise. "She shall be the first to start a community of dragons contrary to the current number of five. What is her name?"

Pausing to gather her thoughts as the Dragon Council stared at her, Firetail informed them quietly, "Her name is Flame, and . . ." The red dragon's voice grew more confident. " . . .and . . .every fire dragon after her shall hold a name of heat!" The Dragon Council applauded, momentarily forgetting their recent feuds.

Flowertail smiled and added, "I hope the same will become true with the rest of us! I'm sorry I haven't reached out in a while. I'll send a scroll to you all soon!" With that, she turned and briskly strode out the door.

The other dragons did follow suite, slowly forming allianced empires with heirs bearing the same elemental name as their ancestors. They communicated quite often, except for the fact that Flowertail and the Plant Element tribe never made contact again, even after many years, though no one paid much attention.

The Heat Element chain continued for many generations until Flame's great-great-granddaughter was hatched.