Mei, I guessed you because you like Harry Potter so much and wAS writing that story about his son.

Yes, I am Daisy? How'd you guess?

-- Part I --

The fire roared, spitting sparks. Tongues of flame danced closer to Kiro, stretching out long fingers of crackling orange heat. She splayed her wings in terror, sapphire eyes wild and panicked. Her snow-white fur glistened with sweat, partly from the heat but also from fright. She looked to the sky, but its darkness betrayed nothing. Not a star shone in the bitter night.

Everything will burn.

Kiro's eyes stung from the acrid smoke of the flames. Towering columns of fire spread closer, nearer, singeing the lioness's whiskers. The last thing she saw before the flames overtook her was that of a darkened lion, eyes narrowed in triumph. 

Goodbye, Kiro.

The world went black.

Mysterious Author, are you Scylla?

WindowsXPUser, are you Owlgirl?

Again, Admins, really sorry about the firsy story! I hope this one is better.

Right but Left Behind

Before the rift…

Cool winter’s breeze brushed over the lake’s icy surface, frost-covered and silky smooth. A pure silver shape winged its way over the frozen water, spiraling down to land on the ice. Slowly it traced a claw over it, feeling to hardened surface crack under the pressure. Reaching down and driving its claw into the jagged X-shape it had made, the ice splintered and broke apart into many sharp-edged chunks. Quickly flapping into the air, the dragon lowered its satchel and hooked the ice into the bag. Then, slinging the wet leather bag over it shoulder, it turned and spread its wings in preparation for flight.

Suddenly the ground lurched beneath the dragon. Confused, it gave a panicked screech and jumped into the air, but it was unbalanced and crashed back to the ice. A sharp cracking reported from directly behind it. The dragon whipped its head around, ruff flaring, and froze with utter terror as it saw a splintering line of ice rushing towards it. The ice split open from under the dragon, and it plunged into the roaring gray torrent beneath. For a moment a white-scaled claw shot up from the thrashing water, desperately clawing at the ice, leaving deep scratch marks in it. Finally, it trembled and quietly sunk back into the water.

But that was lost in the thundering roar that the ice set up. The splitting line sped along the surface of the lake, pulling the thick white sheet in half. A shocked brigade of dragons from the eastern half of the lake could only watch as a blazing wall of light rose from between the massive crack in the ice. It lasted for but a second, then faded into the air. A dragon with scales as red as a ruby hesitantly moved forwards, its claws sliding over the ice. It jumped into the air, heading for the western side of the lake. Suddenly a jarring force ran through its body as it smashed into something. Fluttering back, one of its wings crooked, the dragon struggled to regain its balance. As it slowly did, it hesitantly reached out and felt the surface. There, right in front of it and rising from the crack in the ice, was an invisible wall, as hard and smooth as diamond. A chill crept through its spine as it realized that this wall traveled up endlessly, perhaps reaching past the stars. There was no way to reach the dragons trapped on the left side, and no way for them to reach them on the right side.

Hundreds of years later…

Bright stars twinkled overhead, cold and glittering. It was almost as if they were winking back down at her. Azurite rolled over and traced her claw in the loose sand, drawing a shifting scribble. A fly buzzed around her head, and she shot a spurt of blue flame at it, charring it to a crisp. With a sigh she rested her head on her claws, her wings rustling. She was on guard duty, but it was so boring. Nothing ever happened when she was out here, and it’s not like anything ever would. She was unsure what she was even guarding the village against. The Left Dragons couldn’t even get past the Barrier. Standing up and stretching, she began to walk around the perimeters of the town. The night air was sharp and brisk; but her thick blue scales kept the chill out. Heaving another deep sigh, she spread her large, cobalt-blue wings and rose into the air. Flying above the trees, she turned in the direction of the Barrier and stared out at the stretch of empty air. It may have looked like part of the night sky, but she and her snout had experienced many times just how immovable the Barrier was. Casting a longing look at it, for the millionth time she wondered what dragons were behind that barrier. Did they come in shades of gems as the Right Dragons did? Were their colors determined at birth, when the Roe Dragon’s flame was breathed over them? Whenever anyone neared the infinite wall, she could never seen any signs of life. Perhaps the Left Dragons still lived there; perhaps they had all perished the day the Barrier rose up. Turning away, she spiraled back to the ground and resumed her post, her curiosity no more sated than before.

In the morning she was woken by teeth in her shoulder. Jumping up, she spun around and lashed out of at her attacker. “Whoa, Azurite!” came the cry. “Careful, there?” She relaxed, embarrassed, as she recognized the voice of her mate, Prasiolite, or Prasio for short. Prasio smiled crookedly, the violet scales around his eyes crinkling. His pale green scales quietly rustled as he moved to her side, resting his head on her shoulders. “You almost got me, Azzie.”

“Sorry, Prasio. I was on guard, so I’m a little jumpy today,” she replied.

“Well, then, you must be tired,” he said, winding his tail around hers. “You should get home and get some rest. I’ll come with you.” Azurite grinned, nodding. Together the two dragons left the gates of Colubra and headed for Azurite’s home.

Once they were there, Prasio flopped down on the leaf bed, sighing in relief. Azurite curled up next to him, his breath warm in her ear. Soon her breathing slowed, and her heart began to beat with a softer thump. Within minutes, she slipped into a dark, warm sleep.

Azurite picked at a flower, tearing off the pale pink petals. One of them fluttered up and landed on her nose, making her sneeze. It flipped out, whirling around, and promptly changed into a bird with soft pink feathers. The bird chirped and flapped up, soaring away. Azurite watched it out of cool blue eyes, wondering whether to give chase or not, but the sunlight was so warm she simply flopped back down in the meadow grass, wings splayed. She sighed and stretched out, feeling the heat flooding through her scales. Lazily reaching out a claw, she flicked away a pebble. It flew through the air in a long arc, hit the ground, and--

The world shook, throwing Azurite of the ground. She roared in confusion as she was tossed about like a leaf in the wind. Her wings were twisted awkwardly, unable to find a current and catch her. Bright lights flashed in her eyes, blinding her. She screamed for Prasio, and was abruptly yanked into the black sky.

Jerking awake, Azurite gave a gasp as she jumped up, her ruff flaring. Outside her home, the sky was swirling and stormy gray, a brilliant light pulsing somewhere near the border. The air was cool and crisp, almost chilly, but she could see hundreds of dragons in the air, flying towards the light. She stood up clumsily, her limbs still sore from sleep, but Prasio gently pulled her back down. “Prasio, what are they doing out there?” she asked, turning to face him. He shook his head, seeming just as confused as she was, but he was calmer, too.

“Let them be crazy,” he said, snuggling closer to her. “We’ll stay in here and be warm and comfy.” Azurite looked back outside, worry pricking at her. If there was nothing but a storm out there, why did it look like the entire Right Colony was up in the air. Azurite sighed and put her head back on her claws, trying to relax, but she couldn’t leave the nagging worry behind.

In the morning Azurite awoke to a dim sunlight filtering hrough the leaves on the roof of her home. She stood up and stretched, her wings quivering. Unfortunately, her tail accidentally smacked against Prasio, who jumped up, sleepy but surprised. “Huh? Whuzzgowinon?” he sputtered, legs banging together. Azurite steadied him with her side as Prasio collected himself.

She didn’t say anything, just stuck her head out the door. An uncanny silence hung in the air, with only the quiet hum of insects in the background. “Prasio, does it seem… different to you?” Prasio turned to face her, his eyes serious.

“I.. don’t know. It seems quieter, if anything.” Azurite nodded, her fears from last night returning. Suddenly her wings shot out and she took off, soaring into the air. Prasio started, but raced after her nonetheless. “What’s… going on… Azzie?” he panted, struggling to keep up her rapid wingbeats. Quickly she explained the phenomenon she had witnessed last night, and how it might link to the uneasy silence now. Together, the blue and green dragons descended into the main village, landing rather heavily. Azurite glanced around, her worst fears coming true. Not a single dragon greeted her eyes; not a single winged form came out to greet them.

    “Prasio...this may sound awful, but I think our entire tribe’s left us,” she said quietly. Prasio’s eyes widened, and he staggered for a second.

    “Left us?” he repeated numbly, as if he could hardly believe she would suggest something so mad. “But where’d they go?” She didn’t speak, only turned to face the Barrier. It had to be the only explanation. Where else would a huge tribe of dragons disappear to? Soon, she and Prasio landed on the edge of the Barrier. Azurite still had a fleeting hope that the Right (and maybe even Left) dragons would be there, but it was only her and Prasio. Something caught her eye as she sniffed the Barrier, and leaned down to inspect it. Dirt all around the part of the Barrier digging into the earth was disturbed, and also muddy. Dirt needs water to become mud… I’ve heard the Barrier sprung up in a lake. Could it be that… No. She shook her head. That was ridiculous. Why, after hundreds of years of separation, would the Barrier choose to recede that night? But it made sense… Azurite felt a sharp pain in her stomach as if someone had slashed it.

    “Prasio…” she said dully, turning to face her mate. “I know what happened to the tribe.” His eyes lit up with hope, and she felt awful delivering the news. She took a deep breath, then said, “The Barrier came down last night. That’s… that’s what we heard. The whole tribe, except us, must have gotten the news. And... they didn’t think to check for us. They all went to the Left side without us.” Prasio’s face crumpled, and he sank to the earth. Azurite curled around him, protecting him with her warm scales.

    “What will we do now?” whispered Prasio. “We’re all alone in this world, all alone…” Azurite didn’t respond; only pressed herself closer to Prasiolite. Suddenly, she sat up, her ears twitching. She could have sworn she heard shuffling, and quiet murmurs. Prasio’s head barely lifted, revealing tear-stained cheeks and clouded eyes.

    “Who is it?” Azurite said sharply, boring into the clearing. “Who’s there?” A moment passed; then a bush rustled as five small figures emerged from it. Azurite’s eyes shone in surprise as she was met with the sight of them. “Oh, my,” she said, her tail-tip twitching. The small creatures squeaked, their pale skin soft and pink. The coats covering their skin flapped in the breeze, shifting along with the hair on their round heads. “What are you?”