Escaping Peril (graphic novel)

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Escaping Peril (graphic novel) is a comic adaptation of the eighth Wings of Fire book, Escaping Peril, with art done by Mike Holmes. The book is written from the point of view of Peril. It was released on December 24th, 2024.

Synopsis

The graphic novel adaptations of the #1 New York Times bestselling Wings of Fire series continue to set the world on fire!

Peril has been loyal to Queen Scarlet, who used her fatal firescales to kill countless dragons in the SkyWing arena. Now, Peril is loyal to Clay, the only dragonet who has ever been her friend. So when Scarlet threatens Jade Mountain Academy, Peril sets off to find her former queen, stop her, and save the day, no matter what it takes.

There's just one problem: a strangely persistent SeaWing, Turtle, insists on coming along, too. Turtle is worried about his friends, who left to search for Scarlet and haven't returned. Peril is worried that she might accidentally burn Turtle – or burn him on purpose, for being so annoying – and frustrated that she keeps saying and doing the wrong things. She can't escape her firescales, and she can't escape her reputation as the deadliest dragon in Pyrrhia.

So when she's offered a chance to trade everything for a new life, Peril has to decide who she's really loyal to... and whether her own scales might actually be worth saving.

The #1 New York Times bestselling Wings of Fire series soars to new heights in the eighth graphic novel adaptation, with art by Mike Holmes.

Dedication

For Gwynnie and Bridget, with love from all the dragons! — T.T.S

For Nancy, Holly's mom — every time we talked, you told me my art was going to take me somewhere special. I've never forgotten how much that meant to me. — M.H

Plot

Prologue

Seven years before the main story, Ruby recalled the last conversation she had with her sister Tourmaline three days prior. Tourmaline told Ruby that she wanted to challenge their mother for the throne, to which Ruby protested, saying that Scarlet was too strong. Tourmaline wanted to become queen and get the SkyWings out of the war, but Ruby argued that the dragonets of destiny would hatch in four days. Tourmaline gifted Ruby with an earring, ending the flashback. Since she had not seen Tourmaline after their conversation, Ruby worried that her mother might have learned that Tourmaline was planning to challenge her. Ruby was then told that she was requested in the throne room by Scarlet.

Ruby arrived at the throne room and Scarlet introduced her to the surrounding dragons before telling her daughter to stand by her side. After Ruby took her place by Scarlet's throne, Scarlet announced that the brightest night was that night and had her guards bring in all of the eggs that were due to hatch that night, besides for one that was missing, so there would be no SkyWing for the prophecy. From a pile of black rocks, a dragonet Peril popped out and Scarlet introduced her as her future champion. Scarlet instructed Peril to hold one of the eggs, causing it to burn in her talons.

Scarlet then instructed Peril to touch the other eggs, and despite being distraught that she burnt the egg, Peril listened to Scarlet. Ruby became fearful of her mother and decided that she would stay obedient, thinking that Peril could have been responsible for Tourmaline going missing.

Part 1: Scales of Fire

While Queen Ruby was collecting Carnelian's body at Jade Mountain Academy, Peril stayed hidden in a cave out of sight. She worried about how long Clay had been gone and had doubts about if she actually belonged at the academy like he told her. She also reflected on Ruby telling her that she was banished from the Sky Kingdom and how poorly she was treated by the other dragons at the academy. Thinking she heard Clay coming in the hallway, Peril nearly hit Turtle who was walking down the hallway. Thinking that Clay would want her to make friends, Peril tried to get to know Turtle, but instead made him afraid of her.

Despite this, Turtle introduced himself to Peril and after the two heard a commotion from Ruby and the visiting SkyWing soldiers, they decided to eavesdrop. They arrived at the cave where Carnelian's body was being held to hear one of Ruby's guards named Cinnabar accuse Clay, Tsunami, and Sunny of lying about a MudWing being responsible for Carnelian's death. The arguing did not continue longer as one of Ruby's other guards flew in to alert the group that a dragon with orange scales was approaching, which caused Ruby to confirm that Scarlet was still alive.

Peril believed that Scarlet must be there to kill Ruby, as she had a flashback to her refusing to kill Ruby on behalf of Scarlet. Ruby, her guards, and the present dragonets of destiny flew out to confront Scarlet, with Peril following in order to protect Clay. Scarlet threatened the dragons present and threw Glory's decapitated head at them, claiming that she was just one of the dragons she will kill. Enraged, Tsunami chased after Scarlet as she flew away and Ruby ordered her guards to go with her, giving them permission to kill Scarlet if they caught up to her.

When Peril flew closer to get a look at the head, Ruby noticed her and Turtle, who requested to have a look at the head. Turtle discovered a piece of paper tucked inside Glory's ear, but once he pulled it out, the head transformed into the head of a MudWing, revealing that it was an animus enchantment. Ruby told her guards that they would leave at midnight for Moorhen's palace, but Peril did not know what she should do. After Clay told her to make her own choices, she decided that what Clay would want is for her to make the academy and his friends safe by killing Scarlet.

Before leaving to kill Scarlet, Peril decided that she had to tell Clay she was leaving, afraid his friends would convince him that she left to conspire with Scarlet instead. While heading down the hall to find him, she nearly ran into Turtle who was sleeping in the great hall, not able to sleep in his room because of his winglet being gone. When the two heard someone coming, they hid and overheard Ruby warning Clay and Starflight about Peril. Turtle decided that he would go with Peril to kill Scarlet and they left.

Turtle suggested heading to Possibility to meet up with the rest of his winglet, but Peril is hesitant. Before they can decide, the Talons of Peace attacked them, pinning Turtle and almost touching Peril before Turtle warned them. Avalanche, recognizing Peril, told the talons about how Peril was Kestrel's daughter, catching the attention of Cirrus. Nautilus revealed that the talons are watching for Scarlet as well, having been told about her attack by Tsunami. The talons let Peril and Turtle go and they continued on their way to Possibility.

Part 2: Possibility

While traveling to Possibility, Turtle had the suspicion that they were being followed, but Peril did not notice any dragons following them. The two stopped for the night before entering the city and as they left the next morning, noticed talonprints next to where they slept and saw a NightWing standing where they had just slept. Despite this, Peril was not concerned.

Turtle came up with a plan to swim up the river into Possibility to avoid attention. They swam up into the marketplace, but when a dragonflame cactus was knocked into Peril, it exploded, causing a large scene that drew the attention of Moon and Qibli. Moon revealed that she could read minds to Peril and Qibli was suspicious of her, thinking that she could be conspiring with Scarlet. When Turtle wanted to go visit Kinkajou, Peril told him to go and Moon told Peril to wait for them at an arch out in the desert.

While waiting on the arch, a dragon approached Peril, but turned away and retreated when Winter and Foeslayer arrived. Winter was aggressive toward Peril and attacked her. Peril tried to avoid fighting Winter, knowing that he was Turtle's friend and Clay's student, but while trying to get away from him, accidentally collided with him in the air. Peril yelled to Foeslayer to get help, causing her to fly away. Moon, Qibli, and Turtle arrived shortly and tried to figure out how to save Winter. Turtle told them to use a river stone that he had been carrying on the trip which, to everyone's surprise, healed Winter's burns. They discovered that Turtle enchanted the rock, being an animus. Winter was upset that his winglet was working with Peril now and Moon mentioned that the part of her prophecy about "bewaring the talons of power and fire" could be about her. Qibli also voiced that he did not like working with Peril, which caused her to take off on her own.

While flying away from Possibility, Peril noticed that she was being followed. When she confronted the dragon, he told her that he was Soar and revealed that he was Peril's father. He told her that he could give her something she wanted and led her to Scarlet. Peril was upset that Soar was working with Scarlet, but before she could kill her, Scarlet told her that Soar was flying to Peril.

Scarlet ripped off Soar's choker, revealing that he was a RainWing using a spell to turn himself into a SkyWing. While Peril was conflicted over killing Scarlet, Chameleon presented her with a necklace and told her it would remove her firescales. Peril was reluctant about the necklace, but after putting it on and seeing that she did not set everything on fire, she was overjoyed. She told Scarlet that they can start getting revenge on her enemies and the three dragons set off for the Sky Kingdom to get Scarlet her throne back.

Part 3: A New Peril

While flying to the SkyWing palace, Peril was still excited that she could now touch other dragons, tackling her father in the sky. Once they arrived at the palace, the guards ran at the sight of Peril, not knowing that she no longer had her firescales. Peril was upset about this, wanting dragons to like her now instead of being scared of her, but she told herself that once Scarlet was queen again, she could have friends. Scarlet led Peril and Chameleon to the wingery where she found Cliff, Ruby's son and her grandson. They then took over the throne room and Vermilion told Scarlet that Ruby would return to the palace the next morning. Peril felt bad taking Cliff prisoner, but obeyed Scarlet and watched over him through the night.

When Ruby arrived at the palace the next morning, Scarlet threatened Ruby, telling her that Peril would kill Cliff if she tried to do anything. Ruby turned on Peril and accused her of killing Tourmaline, but Scarlet revealed that Tourmaline was still alive. Ruby agreed to give Scarlet the throne back in order to save Cliff, but a MudWing among her soldiers jumped forward and told Peril that no one wanted Scarlet to be queen, asking what Clay would think. Peril was confused and asked who Clay was, which made Ruby accuse Scarlet of putting a spell on Peril. She told Peril that Clay was the only dragon who gave her a second chance, but Peril did not remember him, however she did recall Turtle.

When Scarlet ordered Ruby to be locked up, Ruby chose the guards to do it. When everyone was gone, Peril asked about Clay, but Scarlet only told her that he was a nobody. When Scarlet wanted to take a tour of the palace, she told Peril and Chameleon to take Cliff to the tallest spire as he told Scarlet that he could not fly yet. Peril and Chameleon took Cliff to the second tallest spire, avoiding the tallest due to it being smelly and gross. Peril asked Chameleon how he got his shapeshifting powers and he told Peril about the scroll he found. Peril also learned that Chameleon was the one who hurt Kinkajou because he hated all RainWings. Peril soon discovered that Cliff was no longer on the spire and that he had lied about not being able to fly. She and Chameleon chased after him, but he arrived at Ruby's prison before they could get there. Ruby climbed out of the prison, revealing that it was not locked, but Scarlet quickly showed up and attacked Ruby.

After Scarlet told Ruby that she would turn Cliff into a weapon, Peril stood up to Scarlet, not wanting her to make Cliff into one of her toys like she had done to Peril. Peril ripped off her necklace, bringing back her firescales and her memories of Clay. She approached Scarlet in an attempt to kill her, but Ruby stopped her, challenging Scarlet to a duel for the throne.

Scarlet and Ruby flew up onto a mountain ledge, Peril following behind with Cliff, having promised to keep him safe no matter what. When they arrived at the challenge, Ruby was not doing well. Peril wondered where Tourmaline could be and realized that she must be hidden behind a mask created by Chameleon. She confronted Chameleon who was hiding as Soar in the crowd of SkyWings. He revealed that Ruby was enchanted to not be able to win a challenge against Scarlet, and Peril attempted to save Ruby by burning her earring which contained the spell. After destroying the earring, Ruby transformed into Tourmaline. She learned that Ruby never existed and was created by Scarlet to keep Tourmaline from challenging her.

They continued the fight, Tourmaline now having the upperhand against Scarlet. She overpowered Scarlet and killed her, winning the challenge. Right at the end, Turtle showed up, saying that he was there to save Peril. Tourmaline returned to celebrate with Cliff, but when Cliff did not recognize Tourmaline as his mother, she asked Peril if she knew who could fix it, wanting to be Ruby again now that she knew the truth. Ruby decided to turn Chameleon in, although she did not reveal that he is a RainWing.

Tourmaline had Chameleon write out a new spell that would turn her into Ruby physically, but keep her memories, having Turtle check it to make sure it was all correct. Afterwards, Ruby threw a party to celebrate her victory. She told Peril that she was no longer banished from the Sky Kingdom and that she could move back into the palace again if she wanted, but they are interrupted by a guard telling Ruby that Soar escaped, having transformed into Shapeshifter and attacking the guards.

Peril and Turtle took off from the palace and reunited with the other members of the winglet. They told them about Chameleon and the scroll he had which Moon recognized as Darkstalker's talisman. They flew toward the Mud Kingdom, Peril suspecting that Chameleon would head that way. When they found him in his Shapeshifter form, They confronted him and demanded him to give them the scroll. He refused, but Turtle used his magic to smack his face with the scroll and bring it to him. They found a cave to spend the night in where Moon revealed that the scroll belonged to Darkstalker who was still alive. Winter was enraged by this and told Moon that she could not give Darkstalker the scroll back. The group decided to sleep on it, but in the morning, they learned that Moon left with the scroll during the night.

Peril flew ahead to find Moon first and found her on the side of a mountain near Jade Mountain. Moon was crying and told Peril that Darkstalker was talking to her. She told Peril about how Darkstalker killed his father by enchanting him to kill himself. The others eventually caught up as well and Moon told them that they cannot release Darkstalker. The group then argued over what they should do with the scroll which upset Peril. She took the scroll and destroyed it with her firescales. The mountain then started to collapse and Darkstalker emerged from within, frightening the winglet.

Epilogue

While in the library, Starflight heard a dragonet enter and correctly guessed that it was Anemone. He asked why she was there and she told him that she had a nightmare. She asked if he felt something that shook the earth, but Starflight told her that he did not feel anything. She told Starflight that it felt like someone slithered over her grave.

Variation from novel

• Peril thinks about worrying about Shapeshifter instead of saying it out loud, but Turtle still responds to her thought.

Mistakes

• When Ruby says "She has been queen forever" it is missing a period.
• Scarlet mentioned that there should have been eight eggs when there were seven, but eight eggs have been drawn.
• When Starflight says "Thank you, Queen Ruby" it is missing a period.
• Qibli is missing his freckles throughout the entire book.

References

fr:La_Mission_de_Péril_(Bande-dessinée)