Chapter Text
The sky was clear, the three full moon’s illuminated the unforgiving savannah that stretched out beyond the hives. There were no other hives visible- only the silky threads that made the web bridges connecting them shone faintly in the moonlight. There was no movement other than a hivewing pacing on a balcony far above.
On the balcony on the highest level of the hive, a nervous looking hivewing clutched a pink amd black striped egg close to her chest. The hivewing had a simple pink necklace on--the design was intricate carved leaves and roses--she kept using her free claw to nervously fidget with it.
A blue silkwing with pink accents swiftly walked into the balcony. Her antennae were furled tightly and a silk bag was strung across her back. The hivewing’s eye’s flash with panic then with relief, “Pearl,” she gasps with relief.
The blue silkwing- named Pearl according to the hivwing- manages to force a small smile past her anxious expression, “Rose,” Pearl whispers, her tone mixed with love, worry, and sorrow. The blue dragon’s claws reached out and traced the fragile egg shell, “so- this is- it really is real isn't it?”
Rose anxiously watches, she was scared for her egg, scared for Pearl, scared for herself. Rose nods, “It’s real- and, you’re sure? You don’t have to do this, Pearl.”
Determination flashes over Pearl’s face, “I have to Rose, I can’t let them hurt your dragonet. I’ll find other silkwings- one’s who want away from the crushing force that is the hivewings,” Pearl notices Rose flinch, her eyes soften but she continues, “but just look- what matters is me and your egg will be safe.” Pearl’s talons meet the pink painted talons of the hivewing, Pearl feels a pang of grief shoot through her, she was the one who painted Rose’s talons last, they were flaking, they needed to be redone, but Pearl knew she could never be the one to do it again.
The egg rested safely in Pearl’s claws, she was surprised at how light it felt.
Rose’s tail intertwined with Pearl’s as she looked deep into the silkwing’s eyes, “Pearl, promise me one thing. You won’t tell anyone this child's mother is the princess of the hivewings- do not tell them I’m Princess Pink. If they ever ask- I was Rose, and ordinary hivewing.”
Pearl meet’s her gaze, seeing the desperation in her eyes, if anyone found out the egg was Rose’s, the results would be a disaster. Pearl nods, “I promise.” Rose throws her wings around Pearl and pulls her close, “I love you, more than anything okay?”
Pearl returns the hug, pressing her face into the crook of the bigger dragon's neck, “I know, and I do too. And Rose? I promise I’ll find a way to defeat the mind control, your mom won’t have control over you forever.”
A tear fell down Rose’s snout, she had been trying to hold them back but she couldn’t help the steady trickle that fell down her face now, “You promise? I’m scared Pearl, she’s been doing it more and more lately and what if she just never lets me go?”
The fear in Rose’s voice broke Pearl’s heart, she couldn’t stand the fear the hivewing had to live in. She squeezes Rose close to her body, “I promise, I’ll see you again one day. You’ll be free and you won’t have to worry about any dragon hurting you again.”
After what felt like eternity but also could’ve been just a heartbeat, they finally pull it away. Rose whispered her final goodbye, “Goodbye Pearl, I’ll never forget you.”
Pearl nuzzles Rose, “And I’ll never forget you.” Pearl glances down at the egg that rested safely in her claws, “Do you have a name for them yet?”
Rose nods, she gently whispered the name she had grown so fond of, making sure only Pearl heard.
Rose pulled Pearl into a final hug, neither of them ever wanted to let go but they knew they must. Finally, Pearl flew out the window, the egg clutched in her claws. She gave a final glance back at Rose, trying to ignore the tears forming in her eyes.
“Goodbye Rose,” Pearl said quietly, she knew the hivewing couldn’t hear her but that didn’t matter. “I’ll be back. I’ll find a cure to the mind control and keep Steven safe. You have my word.” The rest of the flight Pearl flew in silence, not even daring to stop the tears that were trickling down her face.