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|mentioned  = ''[[The Lost Heir (Book)|The Lost Heir]]'', ''[[Moon Rising]]'', ''[[Escaping Peril]]'', ''[[Talons of Power (Book)|Talons of Power]]'', ''[[Darkness of Dragons]]'', ''[[The Lost Heir (Graphic Novel)]]''
|mentioned  = ''[[The Lost Heir (Book)|The Lost Heir]]'', ''[[Moon Rising]]'', ''[[Escaping Peril]]'', ''[[Talons of Power (Book)|Talons of Power]]'', ''[[Darkness of Dragons]]'', ''[[The Lost Heir (Graphic Novel)]]''
|quote      = ''"Another animus in the tribe. I'm so very, very pleased."''}}
|quote      = ''"Another animus in the tribe. I'm so very, very pleased."''}}
'''Prince Albatross''' was an elderly male [[SeaWings|SeaWing]] who lived over 2,000 years ago. He was the first known SeaWing [[Animus Dragons|animus dragon]] and was also a respected member of the [[SeaWing Royal Family]]. Albatross used his magic for many years to benefit his tribe, and was beloved and respected, even considered to be the second-in-command of the tribe. When he went violently insane at a delegation party, the tribe realized how much his soul had been damaged by his overuse of magic. Before he was killed by [[Prince Fathom|Fathom]], he managed to murder almost all the members of the royal SeaWing family.
'''Prince Albatross''' was an elderly male [[SeaWings|SeaWing]] who lived in the time of ''[[Darkstalker (Legends)|Darkstalker]]''. He was the first noted SeaWing [[Animus Dragons|animus dragon]] and a member of the [[SeaWing Royal Family]], being [[Queen Lagoon]]'s brother. He committed [[The Royal SeaWing Massacre]], murdering most of the royal family before being killed by [[Prince Fathom]].


To the present day, Albatross is still mentioned in many history texts, marking his bloodstained legacy as one of the most devastating cases of [[Hybrids and Special Dragons|animus]] magic in [[Pyrrhia|Pyrrhian]] history.  
Presently, Albatross is still mentioned in many history texts, as his massacre is one of the most devastating cases of [[Hybrids and Special Dragons|animus]] magic in [[Pyrrhia|Pyrrhian]] history.  


== Appearance ==
== Appearance ==
Albatross is described to be "nearly a neck-length taller" than his sister [[Queen Lagoon]]{{Ref|DSL|3}}, with long, majestic wings{{Ref|DSL|4}}. His scales are a blue-gray but so pale that in places they looked almost white,{{Ref|DSL|4}} while his eyes are described to be hooded{{Ref|DSL|63}} and so deep, dark blue that they appeared black{{Ref|DSL|4}}. In fact, he is compared to the coloring of a seagull during the [[Talons of Power Ceremony]], both in their coloring and shrewd expressions{{Ref|DSL|4}}. The odd coloring continues on through the SeaWing royal family, as seen in [[Princess Anemone]]'s scales. Albatross also was described as having small teeth{{Ref|DSL|30}}{{Ref|DSL|94}} and a long, hooked snout{{Ref|DSL|4}}.
Albatross is described to be "nearly a neck-length taller" than his sister Queen Lagoon{{Ref|DSL|3}}, with long, majestic wings{{Ref|DSL|4}}. His scales are a blue-gray but so pale that in places they looked almost white,{{Ref|DSL|4}} while his eyes are described to be hooded{{Ref|DSL|63}} and so deep, dark blue that they appeared black{{Ref|DSL|4}}. In fact, he is compared to the coloring of a seagull during the [[Talons of Power Ceremony]], both in their coloring and shrewd expressions{{Ref|DSL|4}}. His odd coloration carries on through the SeaWing royal family, as seen in [[Princess Anemone]]'s pale colors. Albatross also was described as having small teeth{{Ref|DSL|30}}{{Ref|DSL|94}} and a long, hooked snout{{Ref|DSL|4}}.


== Personality ==
== Personality ==
Before Prince Albatross went homicidal, he was a pleasant dragon, jovial and polite to those who he had the time to be around, and he even joked around with his nephew. However, he was not truly happy, as Queen Lagoon had forced him to use his power to serve her after he had brutishly and accidentally mauled their sister, [[Princess Sapphire]], by cutting off all of her claws using an enchanted clamshell. He seems to have little to no remorse about this spell; at the soon-to-be [[Summer Palace]], he laughed and stated: “Who swims like a feeble old duck, now?"
Before Prince Albatross became murderous, he was a pleasant dragon, jovial and polite. He was not truly happy, as Queen Lagoon had forced him to use his power to serve her (to atone for maiming [[Princess Sapphire]] while they were [[Dragonets|dragonets]]). He later expresses little to no remorse about this spell, however; at the soon-to-be [[Summer Palace]], he laughed and stated: “Who swims like a feeble old duck, now?"
However, when telling the story to Fathom, he seemed to greatly regret his actions, possibly because of the 'flashes' an animus dragon has of times in which they use their magic for evil. When Fathom's animus power was discovered, Albatross trained him as a mentor, and was friendly and funny, making jokes, laughing and having a good time with his grandson until the night of [[The Royal SeaWing Massacre|the massacre]], although he refused to allow the SeaWing to cast spells. At the massacre party, he showed no remorse or hesitance in killing several dragons, most likely having turned insane from being forced to use his animus magic by Lagoon.
When Fathom's animus power was discovered, Albatross acted as a mentor, and was friendly and funny, making jokes, laughing, and bonding with his grandson until the night of the massacre. He refused to allow the younger animus to cast spells, suggesting some level of care or concern for Fathom's soul. He showed no hesitance or remorse when he massacred his family, indicating that he may have lost his soul to animus magic.


== Biography ==
== Biography ==
=== Pre-Series ===
=== Pre-Series ===
Albatross was just a tiny dragonet when he cast his first animus spell, playing with an empty clamshell on the sunrise beach of the [[Island Palace]]. His older sisters, Princess Sapphire , and Queen Lagoon , back then Princess Lagoon, came down to see what he was doing. They both started teasing him, saying that he was weirdly different from other [[SeaWings]] and that he swam like a feeble old duck. Sapphire grabbed the clamshell that he was playing with, telling him that everything would be hers when she was queen, even "stupid beach trash like this." As she mocked him, Albatross, burning with fury, clutched the edge of the shell that he still held and told it to bite all of Sapphire's claws off. It did so, maiming her terribly. Sapphire was kept on a secret island afterward because she had gone insane. Soon afterward, Albatross became the queen's animus, enchanting many objects for the Queen's use, including a conch shell that pulsed with light whenever someone was lying and starting to grow the Summer Palace. It is thought that he never felt remorse for maiming Sapphire, though he may have felt a little pity while telling his grandson the story of his first animus spell.
Albatross was just a tiny dragonet when he cast his first animus spell, playing with an empty clamshell on the sunrise beach of the [[Island Palace]]. His older sisters, Sapphire and Lagoon, came down to see what he was doing. They both started teasing him, saying that he was weirdly different from other [[SeaWings]] and that he swam like a feeble old duck. Sapphire grabbed the clamshell that he was playing with, telling him that everything would be hers when she was queen, even "stupid beach trash like this." As she mocked him, Albatross, burning with fury, clutched the edge of the shell that he still held and told it to bite all of Sapphire's claws off. It did so, maiming her terribly. Sapphire was driven mad by this event, and Lagoon kept her on an island in secret. Soon afterward, Albatross became the queen's animus, performing enchantments for her. These included a conch shell that pulsed with light whenever someone was lying and the growth of the Summer Palace. It is thought that he never felt remorse for maiming Sapphire, though this remains unclear.


===''[[Darkstalker (Legends)]]''===
===''[[Darkstalker (Legends)]]''===
Albatross was first introduced during a Talons of Power ceremony, although he seemed obviously reluctant to take on an apprentice and skeptical that any of the eight present SeaWing dragonets, all of which had turned two years old within the last few months, possessed any magical abilities. Although Albatross protested to Queen Lagoon , he eventually agreed to continue the tests after a heated comment from his sister. He then proceeded to roll eight coconuts down to the dragonets' talons on the beach below using his animus power. When Indigo asked Albatross how to enchant their coconuts, he explained that you used your animus powers.  After Indigo questioned him again, saying "Wouldn't it be easier to just throw it at you?", Albatross laughed, replying that an enchanted coconut would never miss, no matter what he did to dodge or try to block it. Indigo shrugged and did as she was told, but as Albatross suspected, her coconut did not move. However, when Fathom ordered his coconut to strike his grandfather, it wrenched itself out of his talons and smashed into his grandfather's chest hard enough to knock him backward. Albatross slowly stood to his feet, wincing and shaking out his wings once he was upright again. Without looking at the queen or any of the dragonets, he carefully picked up the offending coconut, stared at it for a moment, and then held it to his chest, where Fathom thought he could hear small crunching sounds. After Albatross finally looked up and asked who had enchanted the coconut, [[Queen Pearl|Pearl]] pointed at Fathom and said that he was the one who was the animus. As Fathom met his grandfather's eyes, Albatross smiled, stating how it was "such happy news." However, out of view of the other dragons, a seagull that had been present for the ceremony was silently strangled to death by a vine that curled out of the jungle. 
Albatross was first introduced during a Talons of Power ceremony, although he seemed obviously reluctant to take on an apprentice and skeptical that any of the eight present SeaWing dragonets possessed any magical abilities. He then proceeded to roll eight coconuts down to the dragonets' talons on the beach below using his animus power. When Indigo asked Albatross how to enchant their coconuts, he explained that you used your animus powers. After Indigo questioned him again, saying "Wouldn't it be easier to just throw it at you?", Albatross laughed, replying that an enchanted coconut would never miss, no matter what he did to dodge or try to block it. Indigo shrugged and did as she was told, but as Albatross suspected, her coconut did not move. When Fathom ordered his coconut to strike his grandfather it did, striking his grandfather's chest hard enough to knock him backward. Albatross picked up the coconut, asking who had enchanted it. [[Queen Pearl|Pearl]] indicated that it was Fathom, and Albatross smiled, stating how it was "such happy news." However, out of view of the other dragons, a seagull that had been present for the ceremony was silently strangled to death by a vine that curled out of the jungle.


A few days after the animus test, Albatross summoned Fathom for their first training session. He expressly requested that Fathom come alone, probably so that Fathom would not be distracted by Indigo while they were training. Albatross had summoned him to the sunset beach of the Island Palace , where parties and royal weddings often took place. After they met at the Palace, Albatross confessed that Queen Lagoon wanted him to show Fathom his most important project, and he took his apprentice to see it. After a bit of questioning from Fathom, Albatross quieted his apprentice and told him the gruesome story of how he found he was an animus, with a warning that Fathom must always be careful with his magic. Shocked, Fathom agreed, but he then asked his grandfather if they could practice actual magic. Albatross agreed, but as he and Fathom took to the sky, a startled yelp came from the nearby foliage, in which Albatross used his magic to tear a bush free from, exposing an anxious-looking Indigo. When questioned, she retorted that she was only following Fathom to make sure he was safe. Fathom was surprised, but he was also excited, explaining to Indigo that he was going to practice and that it was even better now that she could watch. However, Albatross said that he was getting tired, and reminded Fathom that he was a wizened old dragon and that he must have heard something about respecting his elders. 
A few days after the animus test, Albatross summoned Fathom for their first training session alone together, on the beach of the Island Palace. Albatross confessed that Queen Lagoon wanted him to show Fathom his most important project, and he took his apprentice to see it. After a bit of questioning from Fathom, Albatross quieted his apprentice and told him the gruesome story of how he found he was an animus, with a warning that Fathom must always be careful with his magic. Shocked, Fathom agreed, but he then asked his grandfather if they could practice actual magic. Albatross agreed, but as he and Fathom took to the sky, Indigo was revealed to be hiding nearby. When questioned, she retorted that she was only following Fathom to make sure he was safe. Fathom was excited to show her his powers when Albatross said that he was getting tired, and reminded Fathom that he was a wizened old dragon, and that he must have heard something about respecting his elders. 


A few years later, Queen Lagoon threw a party to honor their [[SkyWings|SkyWing]] guests, [[Princess Sunset]] and [[Eagle]], who were there to negotiate over shore villages that were to be built in SkyWing territory. Albatross was noticeably late to the party, but he appeared after Lagoon explained a fountain to the SkyWings, which had been enchanted by either Fathom or Albatross, though it was most likely Albatross. The SkyWings panicked when they saw him, and Queen Lagoon coldly told Albatross that he would never stop atoning for Sapphire's mutilation. Albatross then enchanted a knife to slit Queen Lagoon's throat, killing her. The knife then went for Sunset and Eagle. Albatross then started killing all the SeaWings he could reach and then started looking for Fathom. He found him and Indigo inside a pavilion overlooking the water, hiding underneath a wooden boat, and threw the boat off of them. Indigo sprang at Albatross and attacked him. Fathom, knowing he would never let Indigo die, enchanted fishing spears on the ceiling to kill his grandfather. Albatross tried to stop him, but Indigo stopped Albatross by seizing his snout and viciously biting his ear. The spears smashed into Albatross' side and killed him.
Years later, Queen Lagoon threw a party to honor their [[SkyWings|SkyWing]] guests, [[Princess Sunset]] and [[Eagle]]. Albatross was noticeably late to the party, but he appeared after Lagoon explained a fountain to the SkyWings, which had been enchanted by Albatross. The SkyWings panicked when they saw him, and Queen Lagoon coldly told Albatross that he would never stop atoning for Sapphire's mutilation. Albatross then enchanted a knife to slit Queen Lagoon's throat, killing her. The knife then went for Sunset and Eagle. After killing all of the SeaWings he could reach, Albatross began to hunt for Fathom. He found him and Indigo inside a pavilion overlooking the water, hiding underneath a wooden boat, and threw the boat off of them. Indigo sprang at Albatross and attacked him. Fathom, knowing he would never let Indigo die, enchanted fishing spears to kill his grandfather. Albatross tried to counter his magic, but Indigo stopped him by seizing his snout and viciously biting his ear. The spears smashed into Albatross' side, killing him.


===''[[The Lost Heir (Book)|The Lost Heir]]''===
===''[[The Lost Heir (Book)|The Lost Heir]]''===
Line 60: Line 60:


=== ''[[Escaping Peril]]'' ===
=== ''[[Escaping Peril]]'' ===
After [[Prince Turtle]] uses his animus power to take the scroll from [[Chameleon|Shapeshifter]], Moon mentions Albatross while asking how Turtle is feeling. Turtle mentions that Albatross grew the entire pavilion before going completely insane, as proven in ''[[Darkstalker (Legends)]]''.
After [[Prince Turtle]] uses his animus power to take the scroll from [[Chameleon|Shapeshifter]], Moon mentions Albatross while asking how Turtle is feeling. Turtle mentions that Albatross grew the entire Summer Palace before going completely insane.


=== ''[[Talons of Power (Book)|Talons Of Power]]'' ===
=== ''[[Talons of Power (Book)|Talons Of Power]]'' ===
Albatross is mentioned various times throughout the book, as a parallel to both Turtle and [[King Darkstalker|Darkstalker]], respectively. In the epilogue, a strange pale phantom appeared on an island where a class of young dragonets was camping overnight for a field trip. It flew around the island, appearing and disappearing, and threatened the young SeaWings by hissing and snapping. At least five dragonets claimed it glared at them with "beady black eyes". This was Albatross' "ghost", created by Darkstalker to frighten the SeaWing tribe.
Albatross is mentioned various times throughout the book, as a parallel to both Turtle and [[King Darkstalker|Darkstalker]]. In the epilogue, a strange pale phantom appeared on an island where a class of young dragonets was camping overnight for a field trip. It flew around the island, appearing and disappearing, and threatened the young SeaWings by hissing and snapping. At least five dragonets claimed it glared at them with "beady black eyes". This was Albatross' "ghost", created by Darkstalker to frighten the SeaWing tribe.


=== ''[[Darkness of Dragons]]'' ===
=== ''[[Darkness of Dragons]]'' ===
The ghost of Albatross is confirmed to be a spell cast by Darkstalker to haunt the SeaWings.
The ghost of Albatross is confirmed to be a spell cast by Darkstalker to haunt the SeaWings.


Later in the epilogue, in Turtle's letter from [[Queen Coral]], Coral thanks Turtle for getting rid of the Albatross ghost that Darkstalker sent.
In the epilogue, [[Queen Coral]] sends a letter which thanks Turtle for getting rid of the Albatross ghost that Darkstalker sent.
 
== Relationships ==
=== [[Prince Fathom]] ===
Fathom described Albatross as "a kind but distant figure" throughout his life, but Albatross seemed excited when he found out that Fathom was an animus. As his mentor, Fathom said Albatross cared for his grandson, and had been a good dragon before. However, when Albatross became insane, he claimed he was resentful towards Fathom for decreasing Albatross's importance as the SeaWing animus. During the Royal SeaWing Massacre, Albatross told Fathom he could have easily killed him from a distance, but wanted to see him die.
 
=== His Sisters ===
Albatross's older sisters, Lagoon and Sapphire, bullied him when they were dragonets. Once, Albatross accidentally enchanted a clam, biting off Sapphire's claws when she tried to steal the clam he was happily playing with. Sapphire became hysterical and insane. Throughout his life, Queen Lagoon continued to take advantage of Albatross, but during the Royal SeaWing Massacre, he snapped and killed her.


== Family Tree ==
== Family Tree ==
Line 84: Line 91:


== Quotes ==
== Quotes ==
 
{{SingleQuote
''"Some of you may have heard of animus magic. It is a rare kind of immense power, and a dragon is either born with it or he isn't. What we are doing today is a simple test to see if you have that power. Almost certainly you do not. [...] Pick up your coconut, [...] Now, [...] tell your coconut to fly over here and hit me."''
|quote  = Some of you may have heard of animus magic. It is a rare kind of immense power, and a dragon is either born with it or he isn't. What we are doing today is a simple test to see if you have that power. Almost certainly you do not. [...] Pick up your coconut, [...] Now, [...] tell your coconut to fly over here and hit me.
 
|speaker = to the dragonets, during the animus trial
''"You use your power, if you have any, [...] An animus dragon can enchant any object to do what he wants it to do. I can do it now without even speaking, but saying it out loud is the way to start. Simply whisper to your coconut that you want it to fly over here and hit me."''
|book    = Darkstalker (Legends)
 
|pe      =
''"It's a new palace, grandson, [...] Entirely grown by animus power. I call it the Summer Palace-- a place where royalty can escape to enjoy the warmest weather of the year. [...] Here's what it will look like when it's finished."''
|page    = 5
 
}}
''"That's the plan, [...] I check on it regularly, making adjustments and adding features. It's been growing for more than seven years, so it shouldn't be much longer."''
<hr>
 
{{SingleQuote
''"I enchanted it to grow carefully and precisely, like a tree, [...] Anything faster and wilder could have damaged the ecosystem of the whole island."'' -About the Summer Palace
|quote  = You use your power, if you have any, [...] An animus dragon can enchant any object to do what he wants it to do. I can do it now without even speaking, but saying it out loud is the way to start. Simply whisper to your coconut that you want it to fly over here and hit me.
 
|speaker = to Indigo, during the animus trial
''"The first lesson about being an animus, [...] is that you must always be careful. Remember this is powerful, powerful magic. It can go wrong very easily. It's so powerful that you can do almost anything, except bring a dragon back from the dead."''
|book    = Darkstalker (Legends)
 
|pe      =
''"It was an accident, [...] Remember that. I had no idea it would work. I didn't know I had this power-- I barely knew such power existed, and we all thought it was only in stories. Also, I was very young. Younger than you are now. [...] It was an empty clamshell, [...] You know-- the kind where the two halves are still connected, but hollow inside. A big one, but nothing extraordinary. I was playing with it on the sunrise beach, pretending it was a dragon mouth that was chasing the crabs and seagulls. [...] And then my sisters came down to see what I was doing. Lagoon and Sapphire. Our mother was still queen back then - it was years before either of them would be old enough to challenge her. But they were both bigger than me, and they started to tease me. They said my scales were a weird color, that my tail was a funny shape, that my teeth were too small, and I swam like a feeble old duck. Normal brother-sister teasing, but it made me so angry. So very, very angry. [...] Sapphire tried to grab the clamshell out of my talons. 'What have you got here?' [...] 'That's mine!' I yelled. 'Oh, is this your precious treasure?' Sapphire cooed, peeling my talons off it easily. 'Everything you have will be mine when I'm queen, you know. Even stupid beach trash like this.' [...] I don't know why I spoke to the shell next instead of her - maybe because I'd been pretending it was real, or maybe because of some animus instinct curled up inside me. But I did. I squeezed the edge of it that I still held and I shouted, 'Bite her! Bite all her claws off!' and then I let go. [...] I know. You are lucky that your talent was discovered in a much less gruesome way, [...] It took several days for all the blood to wash away from the beach. Sapphire, of course, could never be queen after that-- a dragon with no claws cannot hunt or fight, and as for swimming... well, who looks like a feeble old duck ''now''. [...] She went a little mad, I'm afraid. Now she is kept on an island far away from everyone else, tended by two very well-paid servants. Lagoon visits her occasionally, but I never have. I assume Sapphire would prefer never to see me again. [...] I'm not telling you this to scare you, [...] But you needed to know so that you'll understand my rules - mine and the queen's. You must listen to me. You must never use your magic unless I am there to supervise you. You must consider every spell carefully for weeks before you cast it, and you must run them all by me first. I know you feel powerful now - I understand that better than anyone. But you are also dangerous."''
|page    = 6
 
}}
''"Grandson. [...] Hiding like a nervous hermit crab. Interesting choice. One I should have expected, though, from such a little dragonet with such a limited imagination."'' -To Fathom during the Massacre
<hr>
 
{{SingleQuote
''"You know I could easily kill you from a distance. It would barely take a thought. But you've been such a thorn in my side for the last few years. Every chance she got-- 'I don't really need you anymore. Perhaps Fathom will be better at this than you are. You're so expendable now that I have a replacement. What a pathetic creature you are, little brother, with your tiny teeth and oddly colored scales. Fathom is so much more presentable than you are.' [...] So, no, I couldn't dispose of you from afar. That wouldn't be satisfying at all. I want to see your ''face'' as you die."''
|quote  = It's a new palace, grandson, [...] Entirely grown by animus power. I call it the Summer Palace-- a place where royalty can escape to enjoy the warmest weather of the year. [...] Here's what it will look like when it's finished.
 
|speaker = to Fathom, about the Summer Palace
''"No! Spears—" - ''Albatross's last words.
|book    = Darkstalker (Legends)
 
|pe      =
== Relationships ==
|page    = 26
=== [[Prince Fathom]] ===
}}
Fathom described Albatross as "a kind but distant figure" throughout his life, but Albatross seemed excited when he found out that Fathom was an animus. As his mentor, Fathom said Albatross cared for his grandson, and had been a good dragon before. However, when Albatross became insane, he claimed he was resentful towards Fathom for decreasing Albatross's importance as the SeaWing animus. During the Royal SeaWing Massacre, Albatross told Fathom he could have easily killed him from a distance, but wanted to see him die.
<hr>
 
{{SingleQuote
=== His Sisters ===
|quote  = That's the plan, [...] I check on it regularly, making adjustments and adding features. It's been growing for more than seven years, so it shouldn't be much longer.
Albatross's older sisters, Lagoon and Sapphire, bullied him when they were dragonets. Once, Albatross accidentally enchanted a clam, biting off Sapphire's claws when she tried to steal the clam he was happily playing with. Sapphire became hysterical and insane. Throughout his life, Queen Lagoon continued to take advantage of Albatross, but during the Royal SeaWing Massacre, he snapped and killed her.
|speaker = about the Summer Palace
|book    = Darkstalker (Legends)
|pe      =
|page    = 27
}}
<hr>
{{SingleQuote
|quote  = I enchanted it to grow carefully and precisely, like a tree, [...] Anything faster and wilder could have damaged the ecosystem of the whole island.
|speaker = about the Summer Palace
|book    = Darkstalker (Legends)
|pe      =
|page    = 27
}}
<hr>
{{SingleQuote
|quote  = The first lesson about being an animus, [...] is that you must always be careful. Remember this is powerful, powerful magic. It can go wrong very easily. It's so powerful that you can do almost anything, except bring a dragon back from the dead.
|speaker = to Fathom, about animus magic
|book    = Darkstalker (Legends)
|pe      =
|page    = 28
}}
<hr>
{{SingleQuote
|quote  = Grandson. [...] Hiding like a nervous hermit crab. Interesting choice. One I should have expected, though, from such a little dragonet with such a limited imagination.
|speaker = to Fathom, during the Massacre
|book    = Darkstalker (Legends)
|pe      =
|page    = 93
}}
<hr>
{{SingleQuote
|quote  = You know I could easily kill you from a distance. It would barely take a thought. But you've been such a thorn in my side for the last few years. Every chance she got-- 'I don't really need you anymore. Perhaps Fathom will be better at this than you are. You're so expendable now that I have a replacement. What a pathetic creature you are, little brother, with your tiny teeth and oddly colored scales. Fathom is so much more presentable than you are.' [...] So, no, I couldn't dispose of you from afar. That wouldn't be satisfying at all. I want to see your ''face'' as you die.
|speaker = to Fathom
|book    = Darkstalker (Legends)
|pe      =
|page    = 93
}}
<hr>
{{SingleQuote
|quote  = No! Spears—
|speaker = his final words, trying to counter Fathom's enchantment
|book    = Darkstalker (Legends)
|pe      =  
|page    = 94
}}


== Trivia ==
== Trivia ==

Revision as of 01:47, 25 April 2020

"You know I could easily kill you from a distance. It would barely take a thought. But you've been such a thorn in my side the last few years. Every chance she got—I don't really need you anymore. Perhaps Fathom will be better at this than you are. You're so expendable now that I have a replacement. What a pathetic creature you are, little brother, with your tiny teeth and oddly colored scales. Fathom is so much more presentable than you are... So, no, I couldn't dispose of you from afar. That wouldn't be satisfying at all. I want to see your face as you die."
— Albatross hunting Fathom, talking about how Queen Lagoon treated him, Darkstalker

Template:Charbox Prince Albatross was an elderly male SeaWing who lived in the time of Darkstalker. He was the first noted SeaWing animus dragon and a member of the SeaWing Royal Family, being Queen Lagoon's brother. He committed The Royal SeaWing Massacre, murdering most of the royal family before being killed by Prince Fathom.

Presently, Albatross is still mentioned in many history texts, as his massacre is one of the most devastating cases of animus magic in Pyrrhian history.

Appearance

Albatross is described to be "nearly a neck-length taller" than his sister Queen Lagoon[1], with long, majestic wings[2]. His scales are a blue-gray but so pale that in places they looked almost white,[2] while his eyes are described to be hooded[3] and so deep, dark blue that they appeared black[2]. In fact, he is compared to the coloring of a seagull during the Talons of Power Ceremony, both in their coloring and shrewd expressions[2]. His odd coloration carries on through the SeaWing royal family, as seen in Princess Anemone's pale colors. Albatross also was described as having small teeth[4][5] and a long, hooked snout[2].

Personality

Before Prince Albatross became murderous, he was a pleasant dragon, jovial and polite. He was not truly happy, as Queen Lagoon had forced him to use his power to serve her (to atone for maiming Princess Sapphire while they were dragonets). He later expresses little to no remorse about this spell, however; at the soon-to-be Summer Palace, he laughed and stated: “Who swims like a feeble old duck, now?" When Fathom's animus power was discovered, Albatross acted as a mentor, and was friendly and funny, making jokes, laughing, and bonding with his grandson until the night of the massacre. He refused to allow the younger animus to cast spells, suggesting some level of care or concern for Fathom's soul. He showed no hesitance or remorse when he massacred his family, indicating that he may have lost his soul to animus magic.

Biography

Pre-Series

Albatross was just a tiny dragonet when he cast his first animus spell, playing with an empty clamshell on the sunrise beach of the Island Palace. His older sisters, Sapphire and Lagoon, came down to see what he was doing. They both started teasing him, saying that he was weirdly different from other SeaWings and that he swam like a feeble old duck. Sapphire grabbed the clamshell that he was playing with, telling him that everything would be hers when she was queen, even "stupid beach trash like this." As she mocked him, Albatross, burning with fury, clutched the edge of the shell that he still held and told it to bite all of Sapphire's claws off. It did so, maiming her terribly. Sapphire was driven mad by this event, and Lagoon kept her on an island in secret. Soon afterward, Albatross became the queen's animus, performing enchantments for her. These included a conch shell that pulsed with light whenever someone was lying and the growth of the Summer Palace. It is thought that he never felt remorse for maiming Sapphire, though this remains unclear.

Darkstalker (Legends)

Albatross was first introduced during a Talons of Power ceremony, although he seemed obviously reluctant to take on an apprentice and skeptical that any of the eight present SeaWing dragonets possessed any magical abilities. He then proceeded to roll eight coconuts down to the dragonets' talons on the beach below using his animus power. When Indigo asked Albatross how to enchant their coconuts, he explained that you used your animus powers. After Indigo questioned him again, saying "Wouldn't it be easier to just throw it at you?", Albatross laughed, replying that an enchanted coconut would never miss, no matter what he did to dodge or try to block it. Indigo shrugged and did as she was told, but as Albatross suspected, her coconut did not move. When Fathom ordered his coconut to strike his grandfather it did, striking his grandfather's chest hard enough to knock him backward. Albatross picked up the coconut, asking who had enchanted it. Pearl indicated that it was Fathom, and Albatross smiled, stating how it was "such happy news." However, out of view of the other dragons, a seagull that had been present for the ceremony was silently strangled to death by a vine that curled out of the jungle.

A few days after the animus test, Albatross summoned Fathom for their first training session alone together, on the beach of the Island Palace. Albatross confessed that Queen Lagoon wanted him to show Fathom his most important project, and he took his apprentice to see it. After a bit of questioning from Fathom, Albatross quieted his apprentice and told him the gruesome story of how he found he was an animus, with a warning that Fathom must always be careful with his magic. Shocked, Fathom agreed, but he then asked his grandfather if they could practice actual magic. Albatross agreed, but as he and Fathom took to the sky, Indigo was revealed to be hiding nearby. When questioned, she retorted that she was only following Fathom to make sure he was safe. Fathom was excited to show her his powers when Albatross said that he was getting tired, and reminded Fathom that he was a wizened old dragon, and that he must have heard something about respecting his elders. 

Years later, Queen Lagoon threw a party to honor their SkyWing guests, Princess Sunset and Eagle. Albatross was noticeably late to the party, but he appeared after Lagoon explained a fountain to the SkyWings, which had been enchanted by Albatross. The SkyWings panicked when they saw him, and Queen Lagoon coldly told Albatross that he would never stop atoning for Sapphire's mutilation. Albatross then enchanted a knife to slit Queen Lagoon's throat, killing her. The knife then went for Sunset and Eagle. After killing all of the SeaWings he could reach, Albatross began to hunt for Fathom. He found him and Indigo inside a pavilion overlooking the water, hiding underneath a wooden boat, and threw the boat off of them. Indigo sprang at Albatross and attacked him. Fathom, knowing he would never let Indigo die, enchanted fishing spears to kill his grandfather. Albatross tried to counter his magic, but Indigo stopped him by seizing his snout and viciously biting his ear. The spears smashed into Albatross' side, killing him.

The Lost Heir

Anemone made references to Albatross several times, saying that she didn't want to use her animus powers too much and go insane like him. Whirlpool mentions he grew an entire palace before going insane, referencing the SeaWings' Summer Palace. Unfortunately, after thousands of years of service to the tribe, the palace was destroyed in The Lost Heir. Crocodile infiltrated the Talons of Peace and tricked Webs into revealing the palace's secret location. She then alerted the SkyWing and MudWing armies, who had attacked with firebombs later revealed to be dragonflame cacti.

Moon Rising

Albatross is mentioned in the scroll that Moonwatcher reads to find out about dreamvisitors. The scroll describes the Royal SeaWing Massacre, and how his insanity influenced Queen Pearl to ban the use of all animus magic in the Sea Kingdom.

Escaping Peril

After Prince Turtle uses his animus power to take the scroll from Shapeshifter, Moon mentions Albatross while asking how Turtle is feeling. Turtle mentions that Albatross grew the entire Summer Palace before going completely insane.

Talons Of Power

Albatross is mentioned various times throughout the book, as a parallel to both Turtle and Darkstalker. In the epilogue, a strange pale phantom appeared on an island where a class of young dragonets was camping overnight for a field trip. It flew around the island, appearing and disappearing, and threatened the young SeaWings by hissing and snapping. At least five dragonets claimed it glared at them with "beady black eyes". This was Albatross' "ghost", created by Darkstalker to frighten the SeaWing tribe.

Darkness of Dragons

The ghost of Albatross is confirmed to be a spell cast by Darkstalker to haunt the SeaWings.

In the epilogue, Queen Coral sends a letter which thanks Turtle for getting rid of the Albatross ghost that Darkstalker sent.

Relationships

Prince Fathom

Fathom described Albatross as "a kind but distant figure" throughout his life, but Albatross seemed excited when he found out that Fathom was an animus. As his mentor, Fathom said Albatross cared for his grandson, and had been a good dragon before. However, when Albatross became insane, he claimed he was resentful towards Fathom for decreasing Albatross's importance as the SeaWing animus. During the Royal SeaWing Massacre, Albatross told Fathom he could have easily killed him from a distance, but wanted to see him die.

His Sisters

Albatross's older sisters, Lagoon and Sapphire, bullied him when they were dragonets. Once, Albatross accidentally enchanted a clam, biting off Sapphire's claws when she tried to steal the clam he was happily playing with. Sapphire became hysterical and insane. Throughout his life, Queen Lagoon continued to take advantage of Albatross, but during the Royal SeaWing Massacre, he snapped and killed her.

Family Tree

AlbatrossSapphireLagoonHumpback
EelMantaReefSplash
CurrentScallopPearlFathomIndigo
ClearpoolCowrieRipple
More


Enchantments

  • A conch shell enchanted to glow when it detects a lie.
  • A dragon fountain on the Island Palace.
  • The Summer Palace enchanted to grow and expand like a living thing.
  • A chef's knife enchanted to kill whomever he ordered.
  • An empty clamshell enchanted to bite off all of Princess Sapphire's claws.
  • A vine enchanted to strangle a seagull.
  • A weighing scale that detects the difference between male and female eggs.
  • Likely many more unknown spells.

Quotes

"Some of you may have heard of animus magic. It is a rare kind of immense power, and a dragon is either born with it or he isn't. What we are doing today is a simple test to see if you have that power. Almost certainly you do not. [...] Pick up your coconut, [...] Now, [...] tell your coconut to fly over here and hit me."
― to the dragonets, during the animus trial (Darkstalker (Legends), page 5)
"You use your power, if you have any, [...] An animus dragon can enchant any object to do what he wants it to do. I can do it now without even speaking, but saying it out loud is the way to start. Simply whisper to your coconut that you want it to fly over here and hit me."
― to Indigo, during the animus trial (Darkstalker (Legends), page 6)
"It's a new palace, grandson, [...] Entirely grown by animus power. I call it the Summer Palace-- a place where royalty can escape to enjoy the warmest weather of the year. [...] Here's what it will look like when it's finished."
― to Fathom, about the Summer Palace (Darkstalker (Legends), page 26)
"That's the plan, [...] I check on it regularly, making adjustments and adding features. It's been growing for more than seven years, so it shouldn't be much longer."
― about the Summer Palace (Darkstalker (Legends), page 27)
"I enchanted it to grow carefully and precisely, like a tree, [...] Anything faster and wilder could have damaged the ecosystem of the whole island."
― about the Summer Palace (Darkstalker (Legends), page 27)
"The first lesson about being an animus, [...] is that you must always be careful. Remember this is powerful, powerful magic. It can go wrong very easily. It's so powerful that you can do almost anything, except bring a dragon back from the dead."
― to Fathom, about animus magic (Darkstalker (Legends), page 28)
"Grandson. [...] Hiding like a nervous hermit crab. Interesting choice. One I should have expected, though, from such a little dragonet with such a limited imagination."
― to Fathom, during the Massacre (Darkstalker (Legends), page 93)
"You know I could easily kill you from a distance. It would barely take a thought. But you've been such a thorn in my side for the last few years. Every chance she got-- 'I don't really need you anymore. Perhaps Fathom will be better at this than you are. You're so expendable now that I have a replacement. What a pathetic creature you are, little brother, with your tiny teeth and oddly colored scales. Fathom is so much more presentable than you are.' [...] So, no, I couldn't dispose of you from afar. That wouldn't be satisfying at all. I want to see your face as you die."
― to Fathom (Darkstalker (Legends), page 93)
"No! Spears—"
― his final words, trying to counter Fathom's enchantment (Darkstalker (Legends), page 94)

Trivia

  • Along with being defined as a large oceanic bird, the word albatross can also mean a psychological burden that feels almost like a curse, referencing the price of his power.
  • Albatross is the first known animus SeaWing in ancient Pyrrhia.
Show/Hide Gallery

References

  1. ↑ 3
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 4
  3. ↑ 63
  4. ↑ 30
  5. ↑ 94


SeaWings
Queens

Present: Coral
Historical: Lagoon • Pearl

Royalty
(Present)

Anemone • Auklet • Cerulean • Fin • Gill • Moray • Octopus • Orca • Shark • Tsunami • Turtle

Royalty
(Historical)

Albatross • Clearpool • Cowrie • Current • Eel • Fathom • Humpback • Manta • Reef • Ripple • Sapphire • Scallop • Splash

Jade Mountain

Anemone • Barracuda • Pike • Snail • Tsunami • Turtle

Other Dragons
(Present)

Abalone • Flounder • Herring • Kelp • Lagoon • Nautilus • Pearl • Piranha • Riptide • Snail • Snapper • Squid • Tempest • Tortoise • Urchin • Webs • Whirlpool

Other Dragons
(Historical)

Indigo • Lionfish • Wharf

Hybrids

Typhoon

Folklore

Droplet

Kingdom

Bay of a Thousand Scales • Deep Palace • Summer Palace

Kingdom
(Historical)

Island Palace

Society

Aquatic • Bombing of the Summer Palace • Royal SeaWing Massacre • SeaWing Council • Talons of Power ceremony


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