Blurb
"During the SandWing War of Succession, two hybrid dragonets are split from birth. They weren't supposed to meet - but when they happen to come across each other in a chance encounter, the opportunity of embarking on a journey to retrieve the sibling relationship that had been stolen from them presents itself to them...and perhaps they may help save the world along the way."
Fanfic Information
Ashen Showers is a rewrite of an unfinished old fanfiction of mine that was initially named Drizzling Dust, which was written around October of 2018 and published on FFN. It focuses on my two MudWing-RainWing OCs, Cocoa and Chestnut who live in the Mud Kingdom and Rainforest Kingdom respectively, due to their parents agreeing to raise the two separately. It details mainly on Cocoa and Chestnut's relationship with one another and their families, though it does involve AU elements in the first arc. However, do not expect an entirely solid timeline as I have not read the first arc in forever (can't be bothered so I'm using summaries unless it's necessary to read the books) and there is not as much need to focus on the main timeline as much, so expect more than a few timeskips. Its genres include adventure, family, and angst and like with most of my stories on here, there's a reason why I'd say it's PG-13.
I should probably note that this takes place around the beginning of The Hidden Kingdom, I'll try to keep things consistent but it might get
a little wonky Chestnut will end up interacting with the DoDs the most and I'm using summaries instead of reading the book even though I own the book
Chapters
Prologue
Alluvium
In the dead of night, a lone dragoness rushed through the dense rainforest undergrowth - the dragon could easily be identified as a MudWing, if not for the thick armoured scales stuck upon her back. She ran with urgency, her talons crushing the frail blades of grass underneath. Around her neck was a handwoven pouch made of leaves, one that looked as if it had seen better days - the flap swayed back and forth as the night breeze whistled a soft tune. Her talons trampling a small puddle, the dragoness came to a halt, a distressed expression on her face as she took a peek into her pouch.
Inside was two dragon eggs, though they looked nothing like typical MudWing eggs should - usually they were a shade of brown or amber, and stayed that way. The eggs had looked a dark brown for one heartbeat, then a pale amber the next. They appeared to shimmer various earthy tones, which were made more visible in the moonlight - not normal for any pure MudWing egg. Not a single scratch was on either, and neither were dripping with the quagmire's droplets.
The dragoness let out a sigh, her muscles relaxing - though not by much, she felt better at ease. She continued to make her way throughout the rainforest, slowing down with every step she took. Arriving at a lonesome clearing, the dragoness gently laid the two eggs, lingering as she sat back on her haunches. Though the expression on her face was enough for anyone to realize she didn't wish to tarry for too much longer.
"Where is he? I promised Sludge I wouldn't be long," She groused, tapping her talon onto the dirt.
As if on command, a slender dragon popped out of the bushes, his scales an a seafoam green - by now, the MudWing had known this to be his colours of confusion. I suppose it was rather ill-timed to tell Apricot later rather than sooner, She thought. But I'll have time to dwell on that later.
Apricot gave her a small smile. "Alluvium, you worry too much. I'm here."
"I don't worry too much," She scoffed, snorting in amusement. "But that's enough of that."
"Oh, alright. What was this all about?" He asked, genuine concern trickling into his voice. He then looked down at Alluvium's talons, belatedly taking notice of the two eggs. The RainWing remained quiet for a moment, then murmured, "They're ours, aren't they?"
Alluvium nodded, letting out a heavy sigh. "Indeed."
Apricot met Alluvium's gaze, unblinking. "Why did you bring them here? Haven't I told you about RainWings and their hatcheries? That's no life for them."
"And instead letting them be trained to go to war at a young age, only to be surrounded by death and heartache? I could never," Alluvium argued, horror in her eyes. "That's why I want you to take them. They'll be far safer here than in the Mud Kingdom, fighting for survival in every battle they take part in - I have to entrust them to you, Apricot. Don't you see?"
The flash of orange in his scales had sufficed. "And they're also your dragonets, Ally. You're always so fiercely devoted to your family, and wouldn't let any harm come to them. Do you really think I wouldn't trust you to take care of them, knowing that?"
Alluvium grew fuzzy at his praise - though she felt her spirits sink at the same time. I can't raise them in the Diamond Delta Spray, She reminded herself. The little ones wouldn't stand a chance in the war. But she knew how Apricot had felt about the situation, though she wanted him to be with their dragonets too. Taking one last glance at the shimmering eggs, her gaze grew cloudy as she mused their options.
"I have another idea," She confessed. "But you aren't going to like it."
Gently picking up one of the eggs in her talons, she handed it over to Apricot, her heart now forlorn. His scales gradually faded into a deep navy blue, his expression unreadable as he sighed. The egg now in his talons, he drew back, already headed for the RainWing Village. Alluvium's chest was hollow as she watched him take off.
At least one of our dragonets are safe, She hoped. Setting the remaining egg in her pouch, she left in the direction of the Diamond Delta Spray, unable to take her mind off of Apricot and her other dragonet. I can't let this one down. Its life depends on it.
Chapter 1
Cocoa
Cocoa could feel Cashew’s gaze on her, eyeing her down - for as long as Cocoa could remember, the MudWing had been pushing her to become a fierce warrior of sorts. Training Cocoa personally was apparently the best way Cashew could think of to accomplish this.
Perhaps this would be useful training, Cocoa pondered. If it was taught to someone who cared.
Since being taken into Sludge’s troop, Cocoa knew that one day she was going to fight. Scratch that - since she could realize what had been going on in the Mud Kingdom, it had sunk in that Cocoa was going to end up on the battlefield at some point. Cocoa knew that she was going to be forced to learn battle techniques at some point, but she couldn’t find it in her to particularly want to do them.
As Cocoa stood in place, her sight still set on Cashew, she frowned. Maybe the problem is the dragon who’s teaching me.
“Cocoa, come on. You aren’t going to accomplish anything by standing around,” Cashew sighed, a grimace on her face.
“But what if I don’t want to accomplish anything?” Cocoa had let that retort out on accident, immediately closing her jaws after realizing what she had just said - now feeling their heart begin to race, Cocoa hoped Cashew wouldn’t snap at her for it.
Cashew simply scowled at Cocoa; nothing too serious, though Cocoa had an inkling of what she was going to say to Sludge about it. Instead, the adult MudWing padded towards her, her amber eyes locked onto Cocoa. Three moons, what’s Cashew going to say now? I already know she’s upset with me.
The MudWing sighed, shaking her head. “Cocoa, you need to stop with this behaviour. It’s nothing short of a miracle that you haven’t been in actual combat yet, but…what about when you end up having to fight? You won’t have a choice.”
Cocoa shrugged, staying silent as she looked down at her talons. That’ll be the day, and it’ll be rich, She thought, faintly amused. While she knew that it was likely inevitable, at the very least Cocoa was going to try and get out of it. After all, there’s not much of a point of having her of all dragons on the battlefield. What was even the point? A MudWing who can’t breathe fire? Yeah, that would be a great idea - said no one ever.
“Cocoa, Alluvium has been worried sick about you since your hatching. The very least you could do is to pretend to care about your training, for her sake,” Cashew murmured. Surprised by this change of tone, Cocoa glanced at her. “She’s always fretted over you, frightened that you wouldn’t make it out of battle alive. Don’t make that nightmare come true, for your mother’s sake.”
Cocoa sighed. “I know. But what’s the point in trying? I’m a pathetic excuse for a MudWing, anyways. I’ve kept trying, but I can’t breathe fire like everyone else. I’m not as strong as everyone else. I don’t even look like a normal MudWing, or so I’ve been told.”
Cashew’s tail lashed in frustration. “You are not, and I forbid you from saying otherwise. We…we just need to keep trying, that’s all. I’m sure you’re able to breathe fire. And I promise you, you are already as strong as everyone else.”
I didn’t know Cashew could make jokes, She thought somberly, lowering their head a little. What’s next, all those dragons were kidding when they said that I don’t look like some disfigured abomination?
Growling, the dragonet stared at her talons. “No, I can’t, Cashew. I’ll never be able to do the same things you and all the other MudWings do, and we both know that.”
The older MudWing remained silent, instead placing her talons atop Cocoa’s - the two shared a brief moment of silence before Cashew sighed, letting her shoulders and wings slump.
“If you don’t feel up to it right now, then I guess there’s nothing I can do to change that. We can get something to eat to take your mind off it. Maybe that will help.”
As Cashew began to walk away, Cocoa quickly ran up to her side, not wanting to be left behind. Even if I don’t like her much, it’s better than being left with the dragons who think I’m an oddity. Cocoa had dealt with enough weird looks from other MudWings that lived nearby - it had always made her uncomfortable in her own scales, and made her want to turn invisible so she could hide. Upon nearing the prey area, Cocoa spotted another MudWing taking a heron from it - squinting her eyes, she quickly realized it was Ercu, who was another member of Cocoa’s troop. He soon took notice of them, bringing the heron over.
Ercu tilted his head in Cocoa’s direction. “I thought you two were still training?”
Cashew shook her head. “No, we’re taking a break at the moment.”
“Why-” He began, only for him to stop once he took another look at Cocoa’s expression. “Oh. I see.”
Cocoa began to take a few bites out of the heron, hoping Ercu or Cashew wouldn’t mind. But what was that all about? Are they…hiding something about me? She wondered, feeling her eyes grow watery. Do they know why I’m so messed up? Cocoa didn’t dare say anything, however - she knew that Cashew disliked it when Cocoa intruded upon her conversations, especially ones that were important. And this one actually seems important.
Ercu grimaced, asking, “Has…has Alluvium mentioned anything about…you know?”
“To her? Absolutely not,” Cashew grunted, scowling. “I’m at my wits end, Ercu. Alluvium needs to realize that she can’t keep everything a secret. I love her, but…gah!”
Is the secret why I’m so disformed? Cocoa immediately thought, unable to shake the idea away. Why my mother decided to take me into her own troop? Why I never can do the same things everyone else can do?
“Well, you of all dragons should know how she is with that. We don’t exactly know how the whole tribe will react,” Ercu groaned. “But I do agree. It just doesn’t sit well with me to keep it all bottled up, all things considered.”
Cashew growled to herself, already beginning to walk away. “I’m going to see if I can talk to Alluvium about it, then. I’m fed up with this.”
Ercu frowned as she left, though he didn’t say a word against it. As Cocoa took another bite out of the heron, she felt a shiver run down her spine. Just how terrible is this secret?
Chapter 2
Chestnut
WIP
Cast of Characters
This is the main cast of characters for Ashen Showers, most will be OCs though there will definitely be canonical characters popping up in here. However, most canon characters will be minor as I don't want to screw up their personality unless they are so minor to the point where it's impossible for me to mess up, or you know I have headcanons regarding them. Click on the tabs for each character, though I'm still working on these ones since it has been awhile since I've written them and used them. Btw I will add more character tabs to this - if I feel any character that is major enough they'll get their own separate tab.
...this is a placeholder.
"No, I can’t, Cashew. I’ll never be able to do the same things you and all the other MudWings do, and we both know that." ― Cocoa to Cashew, Chapter 1
| Cocoa | |
|---|---|
| |
| Background Information | |
| Creator | Anthraviolets |
| Theme Color | Dark browns / Light blues |
| Character Information | |
| Age | 6 YRS |
| Gender | Female |
| Orientation | Lesbian |
| Occupation | Soldier |
| Tribe | MudWings and RainWings |
| Residence | Diamond Delta Spray |
| Relatives | Alluvium (Mother) Apricot (Father) Chestnut (Brother) |
Bio
Cocoa is a MudWing-RainWing dragonet who lives in the Diamond Delta Spray, training to fight in the SandWing War of Succession. She's currently in her mother Alluvium's troop, along with Ercu, Cashew, Bronze, and Sludge.
Appearance
She has a mostly MudWing build, having the armour-like scale qualities of the tribe. Cocoa has more RainWing-like wings, however, also having the frill and tail - though the tail is more odd, due to it initially starting as a MudWing tail, then eventually curling up into a prehensile RainWing tail - though her's isn't very useful. She has a scrawnier frame than most MudWings, due to her RainWing roots, though she's able to keep up with the rest of her tribe. Cocoa is unable to breathe fire, and while she can shoot RainWing venom, she has terrible aim. Her armour-like scales stay a dark brown with hints of blue, while some of the circle-like markings on her neck can change colour, though just barely. She has copper eyes.
Personality
She's rather flighty, infamous among her family for being the 'irresponsible one'. Though Cocoa would argue that Ercu is the one who should bear the title, her actions shine through as to why she is considered this. Cocoa would rather slack-off than train with Cashew, and would much rather pull pranks on the other dragonets instead of doing something productive. If confronted about this, Cocoa will deny it and come up with an alibi. She is terrible at this. She's also a bit of an airhead, which doesn't help her case. However, when it's something that she finds herself caring about, she'll try her best; especially if it's to prove others wrong. Cocoa can also be rather friendly towards others, though if she's provoked she may or may not try to bite the provoker's head off-
| Chestnut | |
|---|---|
| |
| Background Information | |
| Creator | Anthraviolets |
| Theme Color | Light browns / Reds |
| Character Information | |
| Age | 6 YRS |
| Gender | Male |
| Orientation | Bisexual |
| Occupation | Healer |
| Tribe | MudWings and RainWings |
| Residence | Rainforest |
| Relatives | Alluvium (Mother) Apricot (Father) Cocoa (Sister) |
Bio
Chestnut is a MudWing-RainWing dragonet living in the Rainforest Kingdom, training to be a healer like Apricot.
Appearance
Like his sister, he has a mostly MudWing build, though his RainWing traits are more discreet than hers. He has the armour-like scales, though his are a lighter hue than that of Cocoa's, also containing hints of red. Chestnut is slightly bulkier than most of the RainWings in the Rainforest Kingdom, though this is solely due to his MudWing roots. Like with Cocoa, he can't breathe fire, but can shoot venom - he's generally better at it, due to having done venom training. The circle-like markings on his neck can change colour. He has amber eyes.
Personality
Among most of the RainWings he's met so far, he'd probably say he's the one in the rainforest with the shortest temper, as well as the one who's the most rash out of all of them. And he'd be right - Chestnut can jump to conclusions fairly quickly, and is quick to lash out at those he assumes to be hostile towards him and his loved ones. Chestnut is rather reserved, as most of the RainWings avoid him due to him looking 'odd' and 'strange' to them - with a few exceptions, such as Apricot and Artichoke. He often doubts himself, as he knows that he is a hybrid and ponders why he couldn't have been born a regular RainWing instead.
This is mainly to keep track of the minor characters when I'm writing the story tbh
- Alluvium - Is Chestnut and Cocoa's mother, is a MudWing soldier
- Apricot - Is Chestnut and Cocoa's father, is a RainWing healer
- Cashew - Is Alluvium's sister, is a MudWing soldier
- Bronze - Is Alluvium's brother, is a MudWing soldier
- Ercu - Is Alluvium's brother, is a MudWing soldier
- Sludge - Is Alluvium's brother, is a MudWing soldier, is a bigwings
- Artichoke - Apricot's best friend, is a fruit gatherer