Yep, this story is being rewritten. You're Welcome.

Prologue

Eclipse was annoyed. He had been told to meet his 'handler' at moon-high in the deep swamps of the jungle. No one had shown up yet and mud clung to his legs as he trudged through the disgusting swamp.

"Eclipse." A deep voice sounded behind him.

Eclipse tried to turn around quickly, but in reality, it was a slow agonizing turn through the mud.

"I assume you are the handler I am supposed to meet?"

A nightwing walked into the open. Black, almost green looking scales covering there body, hiding them in the shadows.

"Yes… you can refer to me as my codename, Outlook."

"Alright 'Outlook', what is the purpose of this meeting?"

"We have intel that a new animus might be surfacing in Jade Mountain Academy." Outlook said, before adding wryly, "Besides the two they already have."

Eclipse shrugged, "What does this have to do with me? I'm not trained in animus catching."

Outlook reached into a bag on their side and tossed him an armband with various stones mounted to it.

"You're one of the only agents we have young enough to attend. That armband will protect you from various things including animus magic and mindreading."

Eclipse paused, "So you want me to go to Jade Mountain Academy, and catch the new animus?"

"No, we want you to find the new animus, observe them, and report. Once we find them, we will send in a team that does specialize in catching animuses."

"Okay… how did you get me a slot? I thought all entries to the academy must be approved by their queen?"

Outlook gave a wan smile, "We happen to have an 'in' with Queen Glory. I believe she is the only queen to know of our existence, and I would like to keep it that way so don't screw up."

Eclipse rolled his eyes, "Have I ever?"

"Yes. Quite often actually, do you not remember the whole fiasco in the skywing kingdom. We had to call in the director on that one after your target managed to gain control of half the royal assembly."

Eclipse flinched at the rebuke, "It all worked out though, didn't it?"

"After the director enchanted the entire kingdom to forget about it. Not a small fix."

Eclipse waved his hand impatiently. "One time! I screw up one time!"

"Sea Kingdom? Before that? Not as bad but still, reattaching someone's tail still requires more magic. And then there was the ice kingdom-"

"Moving on, when have I ever not accomplished a simple recognition mission?"

Outlook paused and thought for a moment. "Fair, you definitely had the best scores on animus identification, although your espionage score was slightly higher. Maybe that's why the director chose you."

Eclipse felt a bit of pride at this nightwing's words. "Exactly! I won't mess this one up!"

"I know you won't. That's what your partner is there for."

Eclipse's pride turned to shock and rage. "I don't need a partner! That'll make it worse!"

"Let me rephrase that. They're not your partner, they are your contact. You will inform them if the op goes south, and they will bring in the big guns. They will not get involved otherwise."

Eclipse slumped in defeat, "Fine, what's their name?"

"Names are a powerful thing, Eclipse. You need not know theirs, if you need them just utter the phrase 'The fire has gone out' and they will know to find you."

Eclipse frowned but then sighed. "Alright, I guess I'm headed to Jade Mountain then."

TWICE, TWICE I had to rewrite this writers note, the first time because I reloaded the page, the second time because of Encryption Errors. WELL, I'm gonna keep this short. Look at my profile page for what's going on with a status update. And also I need oc's for this story so hit me up with their: Name, Age, Personality, Tribe, Appearance, and Other. No Mudwings, and No Powers.

~Runereader
Sick of Writing An Outro,