I'm back, you missed me!? Probably not, but whatever :D
Also, in case you haven't noticed, I updated the story cover (yeah, that crappy think you see there), the last one just didn't look that good.
On with the story!

.....

The next few days were spent studying everyone around me, looking for a way to escape.

There were two guards posted around our sector, each taking half-day shifts, switching in the middle of the night, as well as when the sun is highest.

I was searching for the perfect time to escape, as well as a way.

So far though, the only times we were not training, was late at night, and then we are so exhausted that we fall asleep almost emediatly. 

On my third day here, I noticed a few of the guards giving their superiors nasty glares behind their backs. 

So not even the older dragons are here on their own free will...

Might be valuable allies, in the future... I mused to myself after training one day. I head back to my room, perfectly content on using my few spare minutes to relax.

What I didn't expect was to find Spike and Dustbunny already there, one of them pacing, the other sitting calmly, talking about when they will have enough time to escape.

As soon as they saw me though, they shut up. 

"You want to escape?" I asked them, and their hesitation was all answer I needed. "Good, I do too."

Spike's head snapped to me, and Dustbunny looked relieved.

"What have you got for me?" I didn't beat around the bush, instead choosing to cut straight to the chase. 

"Well," Dustbunny said softly, although I've never really heard her speak any other way. "The wall is lowest right behind the barracks, which in turn will also hide us from multiple point of views."

Spike went on from there. "If we time it right, we can fly over there, and have a decent head start before anyone notices we're gone."

Laying down slowly, I mull over the plan. It isn't a foolproof plan, in fact, it's barely a plan at all, but if we want to escape soon, that's our best option.

"When?" Was my next question, but Dustbunny just shrugged.

"We were trying to figure that out, before you came in," Spike filled me in. 

"What about tonight?"

We spun around, and I was surprised to see Foxtail standing there. Knowing him, I would have thought he'd be on the enforcer's side, believing the Queen to be right in keeping us here against our will.

Maybe he's finally seeing sense...

"Why tonight?" I ask him, but he just shrugs. There is a carelessness about him that I've never seen him wear, and it put me on a slight edge.

"I want to be out of here as soon as possible," Spike said, flexing his claws like he wanted to punch something. 

"Tonight it is then," Dustbunny gave him a small smile, and I nodded.

Now, we wait till it's dark...

That night, just like the first night I snuck around, my body was firmly pressed against the wall, my steps softer than feathers blowing in the wind. 

The only difference now? 

There were three dragons behind me, following my every move.

We arrived at the wall unseen, and notice that one of the torches had gone out, leaving part of it dark and filled with shadow.

I looked around for any guards, and when I saw none, I couldn't help but be slightly puzzled. Usually Fennec would be patrolling this part of her territory now, but my timing might just be off.

We scurry over to the wall, and slipping into the shadows with ease.

Just as we were about to fly over though, I felt a weird itch at the back of my spine. I only get that itch when someone is watching me, and when I look towards Spike, my breath hitches. 

Foxtail is gone.

All of a sudden, multiple flames lit up around us, and a few dragons surge forward with chains in their talons. 

Even though we were surprised, we fought back, leaving a few of them with open wounds and bleeding scratches. 

Eventually they pulled a chain around my neck, choking me amd effectively bringing me into submission, as another chain pulled my wings closed. 

I could only watch as Spike and Dustbunny continued to fight, him using brute force and talent, and her using her fire with deadly accuracy. 

It wasn't until a limping soldier knocked Spike under with a bludgeon, that Dustbunny lost her concentration and someone clamped their talons over her snout. 

We were overpowered. 

I turned my head, fully intending to glare at who ever was ordering these dragons around, when I almost choked on my spit.

There, next to another soldier, stood Foxtail, looking proud.

He caught my eye, and his smug smile grew.

He flicked his tail back towards our prison, as I began calling it, and the dragons holding us nodded.

As I passed him, I asked him, "why?"

He scoffed. 

"It's called survival of the fittest, Diamondback, I thought you, of all dragons, would get that?"

I frowned, giving him a dark glare.

"We trusted you," I seethed, and now I realize just how stupid that was. Even though all criminals trusted each other this way, he isn't a Scorpion. He was born in a soldier's home, and I was stupid to think he would go against that breeding for a lowly thief. 

As we were marched back to our rooms, I realized something else: that nobody within the palace walls have any loyalty to anyone exept the queen.

Makes it easier for me, I frowned again, and a faint trail of smoke drifted out of my snout. 

Kill the Queen, and the whole system comes tumbling down...

.....

So, I've been a terrible author, not updating, but to make up for that, double updates!

Enjoy random human beings!