-this takes place a few centuries after arc 3. also JMA doesn't exist anymore due to ✨plot✨

    Lutum has always wanted power.

She didn't want to be just another average MudWing, bowing down to a queen and eventually dying in battle. She didn't want a normal life.

She wanted to be someone more special and important than all the queens in Pyrrhia. She wanted to be an animus.

Her claws trembled at the thought of all that magic. Lutum had heard the stories of dragons like Albatross and Darkstalker, and how they went mad with power, killing whoever they wanted with barely a thought.

But unlike her cowardly sibs, it never frightened her. No, she found it quite admirable, actually. Lutum often imagined herself as one of those historical villains, avoiding the mistakes they made and achieving her perfect happy ending.

Her insides boiled with envy every time she heard about all the terrifying things animus magic was capable of. If only she had some magic of her own, she could be the most feared and recognized dragon in Pyrrhia!

Who says MudWings can't be smart? Lutum thought grumpily as she pondered about this, stomping through the mud. She'd been ordered by her commander to patrol around east of the Diamond Spray Delta, to make sure no SeaWings were getting too close.

Her tail dragged sluggishly behind as Lutum sat down and glared at the ocean ahead of her. She'd reached the very edge of the border between the Mud Kingdom and the Sea Kingdom.

What's even the point? She thought, sighing. Pyrrhia's been at peace for ages. We haven't had a war since-

SPLASH!

She jumped up, startled.

A light purple SeaWing had literally burst out of the water, looking equally surprised. "Ah!" They yelped, flapping their wings in a panic and landing on the shore beside Lutum.

"Don't tell anyone I'm here!" The SeaWing grabbed Lutum's shoulders. "I'm kind of escaping right now!"

"Why?" She asked, befuddled and a tiny bit amused. "Who are you?"

"I'm Dottyback but you can just call me Dotty let's go let's go!" They leaped into the trees behind them, running away from the sea.

"Hey, wait!" Lutum chased after Dotty. "Why are you running?!"

Dotty didn't answer until they were deeper within MudWing territory. "My queen wants to imprison me." They explained in a rush, looking a bit out of breath.

I should attack her. Lutum realized. But this is too entertaining. "Why does she want to imprison you?" She asked, trying to look sympathetic.

"I'm-" Dotty took a deep breath, and sat down. "I'm an animus."

That caught her attention. "Animus?" Lutum echoed, stunned. "But then... why didn't you just use your magic?"

The SeaWing looked faintly horrified. "Because that's why I left in the first place!" They exclaimed, flaring their wings. "I don't want to use my magic, ever. But Queen Aquamarine wants me to make her immortal. She wants me to take over the continent and make every queen bow down to her. I just.... can't do that." Their wings drooped suddenly.

Why not? Lutum wondered, feeling frustrated. It would be so easy for you.

"Alright." She nodded, settling her brown wings. "I won't tell a soul on one tiny condition."

Dotty's head snapped up, their eyes filled with alarm. "Wh- What is it?" They asked, fiddling with their talons nervously. Lutum mentally smirked. Oh, what a miracle this was, that fate had suddenly dropped on her.

"Could you maybe... give me your magic?" She asked in the politest voice she could muster. It was very convincing, in her honest opinion.

Dotty gave her the MOST hesitant and suspicious look Lutum had ever seen in her life. Time to see if my years of manipulating others has paid off.

"Just for a day, please?" She clasped her talons together, looking desperately hopeful. "You could make something temporary, like a flower or something, that'll only last for a little while. I just want to help my tribe. MudWings haven't had any glory in so many years— I just want to create a gift, like the IceWings used to do. Please? In exchange for hiding you from your queen?"

The SeaWing finally caved in, sighing. "Alright. This is the last spell I'll ever cast, so use it wisely." They plucked a nearby violet, and used some long pieces of grass to tie it onto Lutum's left horn.

Taking in a deep breath, Dotty cast their spell. "I hereby enchant this flower to give this MudWing animus magic until it wilts and dies."

A tingling sensation swept through Lutum, making her shiver a little. Disbelief and triumph overwhelmed her.

Finally. She was an ANIMUS. Dozens of possibilities flooded her mind. Everything she'd ever wanted to do was right in front of her! She was one of the most powerful dragons on Pyrrhia now! Nothing could possibly stop-

"You look excited." An amused voice cut off her thoughts. Lutum narrowed her eyes just slightly. But I have to take care of this first.

"Thank you so very much." She said in a grateful voice, smiling brightly. For making my darkest dreams come true.

"Be careful, alright?" Dotty stepped backwards. "I'll, uh, be going to Jade Mountain. I heard there are caves there a dragon could hide in. See you." They spread out their wings and took off.

Lutum watched them go, her smile fading.

Jade Mountain, huh?

Watch your back, SeaWing. Soon, I'll be the only animus on this continent.