WrathAndWaste

Wrath We'll show Mother she was wrong!

Waste We'll show Mother WE ARE STRONG!

Wrath & Waste are part of the first generation of Aberrations to venture outside the Wyrmwound. Like many others of their kind, they intended to go and test their strength against the outside world. They had vast plans of exploring foreign territories to grow, change, adapt, and become stronger. The Aberrations were spreading, multiplying, and evolving, and Wrath & Waste were determined to play their part. Unfortunately, they have a habit of getting ahead of themselves...

"Really? 'Ahead' of ourselves? Is this a joke to you? First impressions matter!"


Per the recommendation of an enigmatic tradesman, Wrath & Waste made their way east, and soon enough, they found themselves in the Sunbeam Ruins. Too little too late, it finally occurred to them that they'd left without bringing along a partner. Their plans of 'spreading and multiplying' were seemingly dashed.
"Right now I'm thinking about biting your nose."


Anyway, Wrath & Waste began searching for any other Aberrations who might have journeyed to the Light Flight. Though they were unable to find any, they did happen upon an Imperial by the name of-


"Oh, yes, right. Um. What am I suppose to write then?"


"Fine, fine. Hmm... Well, we can't tell the whole story..."



____It was a busy day at Lanternlea Port, more so than most. Hawkers shouted above the cacophony of voices as all manner of dragons shuffled about. Wrath & Waste, a green, black, and purple Aberration, found themselves getting tossed about by the crowd. The port was packed, leaving little room for any one dragon to move about. Barely a moment passed without someone bumping, brushing, or shoving them.

“This is- OOF!” Began Wrath, just as she was elbowed in the face. “Hey, watch it!” She snapped, but the perpetrator was already gone.


“So many dragons here, and yet we haven’t even found another of us!” Wrath said. “Lot of good this place is.”


“Here, here.”

____They continued their way along the waterfront. Every step was a battle: some they struggled to victory, while others were bitter, forceful defeats. They dared not even attempt to fly, as the sky was just as crowded as the ground. Dragons swarmed through the air, bobbing and weaving like angry bumbles. Collisions were frequent, and dragons on the ground had to keep an eye out for any plummeting pairs following accidental head-butts. Fortunately for Wrath & Waste, no dragons came falling down on top of them. Something else did, though.

____“Look out below!” A voice shouted from above. But the warning came too late; Wrath & Waste looked skyward just in time to see a wooden crate crash into them. The impact knocked them flat on their front, and ropes, pulleys, and latches spilled out from the now broken crate. As they groaned, dazed and surprised, a red and orange Imperial set down in front of them.

____“I’m so sorry!” He quickly said. He began picking up the contents of the crate, a difficult task thanks to the tangled ropes. “I thought if I took a small one I could make it. Are you okay?”

“A small one?” Said Wrath, shaking her head. She grabbed at a piece of wood from the crate that had lodged itself on one of their fangs. “That thing was nearly as big as us!” Her voice was filled with frustration, but the Imperial didn't seem to notice.

____"Say, you're one of those Aberration dragons, aren't you?" He asked cheerfully. "I've never seen one of you before!"

"My, aren't you the observant one," Wrath muttered. Meanwhile, Waste had finally gotten a rope untangled from her snout.


____“Oh, I can help with that!” The Imperial said excitedly. He picked up one of the large pulleys. “I was on my way to meet someone, you can come with me! Please, let me make it up to you.” Wrath & Waste lifted themselves up from the ground, almost free of the ropes.


“Oh come now, Waste!” Wrath chimed in. “Surely we can trust the clumsy great oaf! He only dropped a box on our heads.”


____Without a moment’s notice, the Imperial’s left arm wound up and threw the pulley right at Waste’s head. It struck her hard, right on the nose.


“That’s it!” Wrath shouted. She’d had enough, and she could tell Waste felt the same. The pair were seething. The huge crowd had stoked their anger, now this Imperial had unleashed the flames. They threw off the ropes and got ready to leap. They didn’t care that he was five times their size, they were going to show this fool what-for.


____With their wings spread wide, the Aberration gave a mighty roar and jumped into the air. They’d barely left the ground when they suddenly came to a grinding halt. They stared in confusion at the Imperial as he fought… with himself. His right arm grappled his left as it reached for his face, grabbing at the air in between.

____“Stop it, would you!” He barked at the uncooperative hand. “You’ve caused enough trouble today!”

____His left hand stopped, then lowered itself, seemingly subsided. The Imperial let out a sigh of relief. Taking the opportunity, the hand quickly picked up another pulley and threw it at his head. It hit him square on his chin, eliciting a yelp of pain. The Imperial woefully looked down at his hand, then he collapsed into a heap.

____“The day really was going so well…” he mumbled.

____Wrath & Waste’s anger was gone now, replaced completely with intrigue.

“Your arm…” Wrath said. The Imperial let out a sigh.

____“It does that sometimes,” he said solemnly. “It’s hard to tell when it’s gonna happen.” His yellow eyes continued looking at the ground, too busy being mournful to notice their curious gaze.


“Like we do…” Wrath whispered back. The pair gave each other a knowing look, and nodded.


“Maybe… maybe we could come with you,” Wrath continued.

____“Really? You would?” He said, perking up.


____“Oh, splendid!” The Imperial said as he grinned from ear to ear. “Come now, quickly! We haven’t long before the ship arrives. My parents will be waiting.” The Imperial began quickly tossing all the spilled contents of the crate onto his back. Wrath & Waste moved to help him.

“Oh, yes, of course, the ship,” Wrath said with faux understanding.


“Pray tell, where are you all off to?”

____“My parents and I are heading to the Southern Icefield. They know some doctors and mages there who can help me.”


____“Yeah, it’s been a problem for a long while. When I was young, I hit my hea- oh! That’s all of it!” The Imperial cheered. Wrath & Waste looked around. They’d been mostly focused on him, and hadn’t noticed that the equipment was already all picked up. The Imperial turned away, and started forcing himself through the crowd. “Come on, this way! We can still make it if we’re quick!” He called back. Wrath & Waste scrambled into motion.

“Wait, wait! We still don’t- I mean, you didn’t-” Wrath said, stumbling over her own words.


____“Oh, silly me!” The Imperial said with a chuckle. “I get ahead of myself sometimes. I’m Butterbean.”

____Wrath & Waste glanced at each other, perplexed, then shrugged. They’d never heard a name like that before, but it did seem to fit the bill. More questions swam through their heads, but they concluded Butterbean probably didn’t have the answers. They followed him onwards in silence, save for one sole whisper:


____It didn’t take long to reach their destination, much to Wrath & Waste’s relief. It was a small, pop-up trade stand. It was constructed out of wood planks, with a striped fabric roof stretched over it, like that of a circus tent. It sat on the edge of the dock, and just beyond it was a huge trade ship, moored on a nearby jetty. No other Imperials were nearby.

“Are you sure this is the right place?” Asked Waste.


____“Well of course they couldn't!” Laughed Butterbean. "They're Imperials, silly." He scanned the area for them. Concern slowly washed over his face. "They should be here somewhere..."

____As he looked around, the door to the trade stand opened up. A teal Spiral came out, followed by a yellow Coatl. The Coatl locked the door behind herself as the Spiral spoke.

____"Ah, there you are, Butterbean. At last.” He said flatly. “It's almost time for the ship to depart. You cut it a bit close, didn’t you?”

____“Sorry, Albert," Butterbean said quietly. "I, uh had a bit of a hiccup. Dropped the supply box. My new friends helped me pick it all up,” he said as he turned towards the Aberration below. The Spiral looked at them sharply.

____“Ah, I see. It's a pleasure to meet you... both,” he said awkwardly, and reached out with both his hands to shake theirs. “And you are...?”


____“Thank you for assisting Butterbean. Hopefully, after this voyage, he won't need assistance anymore. He's off to the-”

“Southern Icefield? He mentioned,” Wrath cut in.


____“He did what?!” Albert blurted out, then she turned towards the Imperial. Butterbean lowered his head a little and glanced away. “Butterbean, you may be clumsy, but this is completely unbecoming! Do you really care so little for your family's reputation?”

Albert let out a indignant huff.

____“Very well, then. So long as everyone’s settled,” he said. “Now then, Butterbean, the crew is waiting for those supplies. You should go with Daybreak and take them on deck.”

____"But, Albert, my parents are suppose to go as well. Where are they?" Asked Butterbean.

____"Ah, yes, that," Albert began. "Unfortunately, an important business matter came up. They're unable to join you on the voyage. They sent..." He paused, and let out a disgruntled sigh "...me in their stead to accompany you. Now, chop chop! Time is wasting."

____"Oh..." Butterbean said sadly. He turned and slowly followed the Coatl down the jetty towards the ship. Albert turned his attention towards the Aberration.

____“Once again, thank you for your assistance today. Butterbean would lose his head if it weren't attached to him. I swear, if these doctor's can't fix him, I don't think anyone can.”

“Oh? How so?” said Wrath, pressing for details.

____“Well, I’m sure you noticed he’s a bit… childlike. Not to mention his arm.”


____“I’m not sure,” Albert said. "No one is. Some dragons have said it’s just spasms, but the motions seem too specific for that. Others have said he’s possessed, but that's just nonsense.”


____“Oh, no, of course not!” Albert scoffed, rolling his eyes. “When he was young, he had a bad accident. He fell a long way and landed square on his head. It took a while for him to heal, and he was always a bit off afterwards. The problem with his arm started not much later, so there must be a connection.”


____“He mentioned that too, did he?” Albert said, then muttered something under his breath. The Aberration couldn't make it out. “Yes, we are. The doctors, mages, and other wisened folk here can’t figure out what the problem is. His parents are at their wits end with him. The Coatl, Daybreak - she has family in the Frigid Floes, many of whom are mages and doctors. This is all that's left for hope of fixing him. If they can’t do it, I doubt anyone can.”

“Fix him…” Wrath pondered. “I don’t think there’s anything to fi-”

____“Alright, everything’s ready!” Butterbean shouted, interrupting her. He came bounding back up the jetty, and stopped just before them, lowering his head down to Albert. “Daybreak sent me to get you, she says we’re good to go.”

____“Finally," Albert said, then snapped his fingers. "Don't stand idle, boy. Back to the ship. I don't want this trip to take longer than it needs to." He turned back to Wrath & Waste. “We’ll be off then. Perhaps we will cross paths again.”

____“Aww, can’t they come with us?” Butterbean asked as he made a pouty face.

____“Now, Butterbean, I’m sure this dragons has somewhere else to be.”


____Wrath was surprised by Waste's sudden interest in the trip. She gave her a quizzical look. Waste gave her a look of certainty in response. Wrath wasn't sure she agreed yet, but she could feel in their heart that Waste was committed to this.

____“Hmm,” Albert pondered. Then, a sly smile spread across his face. "Tell you what: you two go with Butterbean, and keep an eye on him. My service are better used here, anyway.”

"Uhhh, are you sure?" Wrath questioned. Waste didn't wait for an answer.


____"But, hold on," said Butterbean, less excited now. "Albert, do you think my parents will be okay with this?"

____"Oh, I'm sure they won't mind. They'll be glad that they're best butler won't be away for a whole week," he said proudly. "Well, I'll be off then. Ta-ta! Make sure you don't miss the return journey!" Before the other three could respond, the Spiral jumped up and flew off down the dock, whistling as he went.

____"But- Wait- I..." Butterbean called, his voice trailing off. "Okay then..."


____"Well, no, I haven't," Butterbean replied, starting to perk up.


____"Yeah... yeah, okay!" Butterbean said, his enthusiasm restored. "Race you to the ship!" He spun around and ran back down the jetty to board. He stumbled for a moment on his bad arm, but quickly righted himself. Waste giggled, but stopped when she noticed Wrath staring knives at her.

"What are you doing?!" She barked. "Have you even thought about what trouble you could be getting us into?!"


"So we're calling him 'BB' now?"


____Wrath was silent for a moment before she reluctantly conceded.

"Yes, we do," she murmured. The Aberration got up and started making their way down the jetty.


"Won't argue with that," Wrath said, slowly coming around.

____With that, they climbed up the ramp and boarded the ship. Some of the crew grumbled at the delay, but as the ship left the dock and made its way across the bay, they settled into their work. Wrath & Waste made sure to stick close to Butterbean.


____The ship and its passengers had been out at sea for a few days. By the next evening, it would reach the Fire Flight, where it would stop for business and resupply before continuing to the Southern Icefield. Wrath & Waste knew that would be their opportunity. Though hesitant at first, they’d decided to speak with the ship's medic, Frankie, about their theory. While she was uncertain about it, Frankie admitted there was a certain logic to it. She agreed that, at the least, Butterbean should hear it so he could decide for himself.

____The sun was setting. Much of the crew were turning in for the night, as were the few passengers. Three dragons in particular were still up and about. Wrath & Waste had asked Butterbean to come up on deck and chat with them and Frankie for a bit. They stood on the bow of the ship, the waves gently lapping its sides below them. Butterbean let out a long yawn.

____"I don't mind chatting," he said tiredly, "but I'm pooped. I want to get to bed soon.”

____"We understand, but this is important, Butterbean." Frankie assured him.

____"Well, what's up, then?" He asked.

"Well, uh, it's kinda..." Wrath said, unsure of where to start.

1. Wrath & Waster were obtained from sickreaps.
2. This dragon's hatch date is 03/02/2022, the day the Aberration update launched.
3. This dragon is one of four in total with this color combination (Thicket/Plum/Heather).
4. Yes, I am aware that their color palette is notably similar to Zak & Wheezie.