Ripple

He still couldn't believe it. Shadowclaw, his biggest enemy, wasn't even coming with them! He would have Sloth for himself all the way.

He hoped this journey would never end. It was the best day ever for him. Well maybe the second best day.

He could clearly remember the moment he met Sloth. She doesn't talks much but didn't care about that. He knew she was the right for him.

And than the prince appeared in his life. The only thing that could steal Sloth from him. And he did it but than he made a big mistake. Ripple couldn't thank him enough for it.

He saw Sloth flying in front of them. She didn't look worried like the other. It was the first time since he met her that she scared him. He never thought that Sloth could looks so determined.

Something had happened with her. "Sloth? We're flying now for about three hours don't you think we should make a break?", he asked.

She turned around. "W-why are you asking me?", Sloth asked with big eyes back. "Well I thought you are our leader now?", he replied.

She shook her beautiful head. "No I'm not! We don't need a leader right? We go rest when one of us is tiered and not when... when I say it", she answered.

"I think we're all tiered", Eclipse shouted. "We could rest in this cave", Ripple said and pointed on a little hole beneath them.

Sloth nodded. The four dragonets flew down and quickly found a place to lay down. The cave was little and Ripple saw how he nearly touched Sloth's wing.

She looked as friendly as always in her sleep. He smiled. Now nothing and nobody is standing between us. When she likes me as well...

"Stop staring at her", BlackIce whispered suddenly. "I-I'm not staring on anybody!", Ripple explained and blushed a little. She sighed. "You're really bad at hiding your crushes!"

Did she realized..."The whole world knows that you have a crush on my little Rainwing friend! And now let her sleep!", BlackIce hissed. Ripple nodded confused.

Does Sloth also know that I love her? I have to tell it her before BlackIce does. Than he realized that he stared at her again.

He shook his head and tried to get some sleep. But the sleep shouldn't come. Ripple couldn't forget Dawnbringer's evil smile and Sloth's hurt face.

She really thought that Dawn was her friend...Everyone did. And than he remembered Shadowclaw.

He didn't come with us in cause of me. I just wanted to be alone with Sloth...He could have helped us but Sloth would fall for him again...

He looked over his back but the little Rainwing still slept. I could wake her up right now and say her that I love her... but I can't...but I have to.

Quietly he walked over to her. She was so beautiful when she slept. Her eyes were closed- of course. Ripple liked her muster even though she couldn't change her scale color like every other Rainwing.

"What are you doing?", she asked suddenly. "Oh! You're awake!", Ripple shouted. Sloth nodded and smiled than. "Uh...do you want to go hunt? With me?", he asked.

Please don't say no again! "I'm sorry but...I'm a Rainwing and Rainwing's eat fruit", she answered. She looked like when she was really sorry.

I'm so stupid! Of course she doesn't goes hunt with me when she just eats fruit. "I'm going alone than", Ripple replied but Sloth shook her head.

"I don't think this is a good idea. I-I mean who knows who is out there right? You should wait until the others wake up", she explained.

Of course! So she cares for me? I need to tell her or I will die. "Uhm...Sloth...I-I", Ripple said but Sloth was faster.

"I think you should try to sleep", she said. "Uh...I have to speak with you first", he replied and turned red. "Yes?", Sloth asked.

You need to tell her...right now. But won't Queen Coral be angry? At least I
marry River when I'm old enough.

"Well...can we go outside please?" She just nodded. "So what's it?", Sloth asked. "Uh...I...don't think that Dawnbringer is going to the Rainwings! She is to smart for this", Ripple explained.

You are a coward. A coward. A coward. Sloth nodded slowly. "But the queen is in danger so when we tell her she can send messengers to the other queens so we don't have to travel through Phyrria", she explained. "Even when we can't tell her about Dawn we can tell her about the goat thing."

Right. Stupid me. Why is she so smart? Why are I so stupid? "Something else?", Sloth asked agin. You have to tell it her. Right now. This is your last chance.

"No. I think I need some sleep", Ripple replied. She nodded but she didn't move. Is she ok? "Sloth?", he asked quietly but she didn't reply as well. "Sloth?", Ripple asked again but now a little louder.  

Again no answer. "Sloth!", he shouted but the little Rainwing didn't seem to notice it. I need to wake the others! But I can't leave her alone...Suddenly Sloth turned around.

"I-I got a message from Dawnbringer", she whispered, "it still works and she says...when I destroy my sky fire she will let you live." No. She can't do that! She will be gone forever than and what can I do without her?

"She gave me three days and than she will come", Sloth explained. "You can't do this!", Ripple shouted but she didn't reply. "We need to wake the others", Sloth said and walked inside again.

I didn't told her. This was my chance but I ruined it. I didn't told her what I feel for her again. And when she does what Dawnbringer says...than I'm never going to have a chance again.

"What happened", he could hear Eclipse from inside, "is the sky normal again?" BlackIce answered. "No. It's red." The two dragons looked outside.

"W-we need to speak", Sloth whispered and looked at her claws again. "Dawn spoke to me again and she said when I destroy my sky fire she will let you live", she explained.

"Don't do what she says! She will kill us with or with out sky fire when we don't stop her", BlackIce argued. Sloth can't do this right? We need to stop her or I will never see her again!

"Yes. This is no option", Eclipse said. "She gave me three days. So we have three days to make a plan", Sloth thought.

"Do you found out where she is at the moment?", Ripple asked. "Who? Dawnbringer? Of course not. But I still think we should warn Glory first", she answered.

The others nodded. "We should hunt now and fly than to the queen", Ripple said. "Are you crazy? It's in the middle of the night? I don't know what you do now but I'm going to sleep!", BlackIce snapped.

Now Sloth saw how stupid I'm again! They walked inside again but this time Ripple was tiered and it didn't took long until he fell asleep.

Dreaming about Dawn's smile and Spirit's dead body.