Vermillion

``Hah! What kind of antlers are those?``

Vermillion dashed through the crowds with the power of his hind legs. He tried to hop into the air a couple times, but the limited space to spread his wings prevented him. Faces flashed by as he ran, he had no clue where he was going, just one goal. Don't think, just run. He had a pair of small antlers on his head and a fluffy mane around his neck. Which would be absolutely fine if everyone stopped teasing him for it. All the other employees in the nursery always nudged and jabbed at him, from insults to lying. But now they'd gone too far.

He'd been accused of dropping an egg.

Which is bad enough, but that's something even someone with a sense of the world could piece together. He could never. Vermillion knew the rumour would spread to the head of the nursery soon. And once it did, game over. The only real way to escape that horror is to disappear, and never return.

He shoved his way through the swarm of dragons, big and small, until the ground he treaded on retreated from his feet. He had fallen from the ledge! The town was constructed on the side of a cliff with the building imbedded into the rock. Looks like one section of the village wasn't finished.

Vermillion's mind raced as his wings spread uncomfortably. He hadn't flown in years and struggled to keep afloat. The wind worked against him and sent him smashing against the side of the cliff.
Blood roared in his ears; the last sound he heard before darkness enveloped him.

His eyes squinted against the waves of water, mud covering his body and digging into his wounds. Vermillion slowly arose, groaning. A swamp, surrounded by endless rows of trees was in the foreground. The dirt seeped in-between his scales and weighed his feathers down. He was far too tired to move.
If he focused his attention away from the aching pain of his injuries, and instead listened to the birdsong and rustling of leaves, it was... peaceful. Vermillion lowered his head and gave a quiet sigh. He stretched his talons as a lily pad floated up to him and touched his snout.

Suddenly the pool of water let out painfully loud splashes as a figure approached. He lifted his head upright, ignoring the screaming of his wounds. It was a Nocturne, padding up with a strange weapon and a bright green pendant. It peered down to stare into Vermillion's eyes.

``Are you alright?``