The desert landscape was vast and massive. Its majesty and grandeur was truly something to behold for an outsider. However, the SandWings of Burn's Stronghold are not outsiders, and thus, don't care. The only reason they'd care is that their land's ownership is divided between three parties; Burn, Blister, and Blaze.

       Burn wanted to make sure that this land was going to be hers and that she was going to become the queen of the SandWings, instead of her sinister sister Blister, and her useless ditz of a sister, Blaze. Being in control of the stronghold was definitely a way to increase your chances of winning a war for your throne.

       That future queen was now in a chamber, sitting quietly in front of a painting of another SandWing. She looked stoic and regal, fitting for the shrine of Queen Oasis. Burn paid no attention to her top guard standing behind her. The dragon behind her said nothing. She didn't want to interrupt her queen's mourning. The top guard was promised by her queen that she would be queen after her, seeing as Burn had no interest in having dragonets, and her adopted daughter was the most loyal dragon in her stronghold and entire army.

       That dragon was yearning for the day that she would help her future queen rule it. When Burn took her in, she vowed that she would help her secure her throne. In her mind, Burn was the ideal queen and more than fit for her throne. Much better than her idiot sister Blaze and her conniving sister Blister. Someday, this land will be mine. Queen Burn promised me that I would inherit it after her. Top of the guard and top assassin, the instant Burn offered her a chance and a place to live; she immediately rose in the ranks. She often got jealous or dirty looks from the others, but she didn't care. Queen Burn thought of her as a daughter and promised her the throne. But before Burn's demise, she would likely be promoted to General of the Army, or even advisor. If such a noble, ruthless, and worthy dragon as that trusted her to rule in her absence, it had to be true.

       Her ruddy curved crests curled around the moonlight like an owl catching its prey. The orange spots along her ruddy scales and wings stood out. She waited patiently for Queen Burn to finish her vigil for her mother until she turned around and saw her heir standing in the doorway. "Tarantula." She said. "How long were standing there?" She asked quietly.

       "Not long." She responded. "I wanted to wait for you to be finished out of respect for both you and Queen Oasis." She explained.

       Burn nodded and turned to leave the room. "Follow me." She said firmly, her stately voice resounding around the room. When she opened the door, she was met with Smolder, the only living prince of the Kingdom of Sand. Behind him was a group of soldiers with the SkyWing Queen in chains. The right side of her face looked like it was melted off. Her yellow eye was horrifically exposed. Then again, I've seen worse from Her Majesty's prize collection.

       "Smolder." Burn addressed, contempt edging her tone.

       Tarantula gave him a respectful bow. "Your Majesty." He said right back. Tarantula knew how Burn disliked him, likely due to his resemblance to Blister, but he was calm and agreeable. He made good company.

       The large, regal, scarred SandWing gestured toward the SkyWing. "Throw her in a cell." She commanded the guards. "And keep a close eye on her."

       "Yes, Your Majesty." They saluted her as they hauled the thrashing deformed SkyWing queen into a cell in the collection room. Burn turned to face the holder of her fortress and dismissed everyone else.

       As soon as they left, Burn's features became affectionate. At least, as affectionate as the ruthless SandWing could muster. "Anything to report, lieutenant general?" She said, dipping her head.

       Tarantula bowed low to her queen. "Nothing of note. I did catch a couple traitors in our midst and imprison them. I'll figure out what to do with them soon." She reported.

       "Get rid of them, or blackmail them. I don't care what, they're a waste of resources and space if not. Disloyal soldiers are useless." Burn simply blinked slowly. "But anyways, there's something important I need to talk to you about. Tarantula kept up with Burn as the queen strode down the hall."My visit to the Sky Kingdom was pathetic." She droned. 

       "That sounds like a shame, Your Majesty." Tarantula said. "Would you like to go searching for some oddities to add to your collection to take your mind off of it?"

       Burn shook her head. "Normally I would, but I don't really feel like it." She explained. "The dragonets of the prophecy are still alive and running rampant playing 'hero.'"

       "You mean from the Dragonet Prophecy?" Tarantula asked, bewildered. They still live? She shook her head defiantly. "But how? Surely destroying the SkyWing egg would have broken the Talons of Peace's spirit."

       "It should have, but it didn't." Burn hissed. "They ran away after I was almost attacked by that stupid RainWing, like a flock of cowards."

       Tarantula was sure she misheard that. "Did you say 'RainWing?' Surely you're mistaken. Those lazy fruit-eaters are hardly dangerous." She assured.

       "Seems like we were wrong about that, too." Burn muttered. "But look what it did to her." She hissed, pointing at Queen Scarlet.

       Tarantula looked at the SkyWing queen's face again and had a horrific realization. "A RainWing did that?!" And almost attacked Her Majesty. "But how?!" She asked, surprised.

       "Apparently they have a secret weapon." Burn guessed. Tarantula cursed those dragonets silently. "It spat venom from its fangs, and it melted our guest's face." Tarantula hissed. I'll have to send out a search party to locate them. Maybe lead an assassin search for them. Burn walked towards the balcony and looked out onto the Kingdom of Sand, Tarantula closely in tow. They are the only things standing between Her Majesty and becoming the sole ruler of the Kingdom of Sand. "Why do you think I should be queen?" She asked her top soldier.

       Tarantula straightened up, trying to look strong for her queen. "You need a leader who isn't afraid to use violence as a solution." She said confidently. "The Talons of Peace can preach about peace and 'non-violent' solutions all they want, but you of all dragons know that those solutions don't always work. You understanding and employing that makes you a stronger and more fitting leader. It means you aren't afraid to take action when your kingdom and it's citizens need you to." She answered, praising her queen. "That's the leader you are."

       Burn nodded. "Neither of my sisters would concern themselves with the kingdom. Blister wouldn't stop with just the Kingdom of Sand; she would want the whole continent, and she's crafty enough to get it. She would throw all of Pyrrhia into chaos, pitting dragon against dragon. Blaze, on the other talon, is just an annoyingly vain airhead. What makes anyone think that she will make a good leader? She's dumb as a camel and only cares about herself." She sighed. "Mother always did say that she wouldn't make a good queen, but was an acceptable daughter. Even when we were young, she was always...harmless."

       Tarantula perked her ears. Queen Burn never really talked about her mother, or her relationship with her siblings. The only time she ever brought up Oasis was when she was paying tribute at her shrine. "Is it about Queen Oasis's death?" She asked, tentatively, not wanting to upset her queen.

       Burn nodded slightly. The large SandWing was very quiet for a long while before she answered, and Tarantula feared that she had angered her. "I'm not entirely convinced my mother's death was accidental." She answered. "She always thought I would make the best queen out of my sisters. Someone must have wanted her dead before I could get the chance to fight for the throne." Burn sighed again. "Sometimes, I wished that Blister would challenge her, and that I'd kill Blister and take the throne. I doubt that Blaze would have ever fought me for it. She never really cared." She paused. "Then again, Blister would have found a way to outsmart me, anyway."

       Tarantula simply sat quietly, listening to her queen. "I'm so sorry, Your Majesty." She said quietly. She knew that Burn hated receiving pity, but her best guard felt that that was all she could really do for her queen in that moment. Burn was someone who looked for quick, efficient, and practical solutions to her problems, therefore pity, wallowing, and sentimentality were worthless to her. "Do you have any idea who might have orchestrated her death?"

       "I do." Burn said. "But I could be wrong. Not likely, but still possible." She vowed. Tarantula simply bowed her head in respect for her queen. "Another thing." Burn said. Tarantula flipped over in surprise. "I've decided to promote you to general." This quickly? "Since those meddlesome dragonets indeed still live, I'll need you to do what you need to do to be rid of them. You'll do that job better as a general." She explained.

       Tarantula nodded. "With all due respect, Your Majesty, don't you think it would be more of an advantage to gain the dragonets' votes in our favour? They do have to choose the next SandWing queen, so wouldn't it be better to ensure that they choose you?" She suggested, thoughtfully.

      "Waste of my time and effort." Burn shook her head. "And besides, even if I wanted to, it's too late for that, thanks to our guest." She hissed. She took a deep breath and sighed. "You can go, now. We're done here." She dismissed with a wave of her venomous tail. Tarantula bowed to her queen and walked down the hall towards her dorm. If that's what she thinks is best, I'll trust her. The only way to secure her throne is to kill the dragonets of destiny. I'll start tomorrow. "Oh, by the way, before you head off," Burn stopped Tarantula before she entered her room. "There was another meddlesome group there, a merchant group of misfit dragons toddling after a lost IceWing clearly not fit for war."

       Tarantula's hungry black eyes narrowed. Why does that sound so familiar? "What are they called?" She asked.

       "The White Capes." Burn answered. "The one that was a pain in the neck for me was the SkyWing named Glow. She tried, and failed pathetically, to kill me." Tarantula grimaced. Oh, I'll make certain she pays with her life. "And her SandWing friend was rather annoying as well."

       Tarantula turned around, her black eyes glittering curiously. "What did they look like?" She asked coolly.

       Burn paused for a moment. "Small, light gold, lots of black scales and wings. She had some kind of cover on her barb." She recalled.

       "Did she have tattoos? White tattoos, on her wings? That look like flames?" Tarantula pressed.

       "Yes, she did." Burn answered. Tarantula smiled, her claws tightening on the stone floor beneath her. I finally found you, Corona. "Why do you ask?" Burn asked.

       Tarantula smiled and chuckled to herself. "Just something...personal." She answered.

       Burn looked at her puzzled, but just shrugged and walked down the hallway. "Do whatever you need to do. Killing the dragonets of destiny; that's your job." she reminded her general.

       Tarantula's mind was buzzing. She finally found her! She finally found Corona, and she wasn't going to stop until she had her back. Abandoning us was a mistake, Corona. Abandoning me was a mistake! You'll see that those pathetic misfits aren't your real friends. I am. You'll see. As Tarantula was settling in her camel-skin blanket, a new, hungering, primal desire awoke deep inside her. 

       As Tarantula was falling asleep, her thoughts swirled violently around Corona like a dust devil. We'll be together soon, Corona. And this time, I'm never letting you go ever again.