A/N: Just a short one-shot set in an AU-ish world where the fire didn't happen within three days. This was a little something just for me, but the archive for Wings of Fire is looking small so I thought I'd contribute.
It's been a while since I last read Moon Rising so I hope that the characters aren't too OOC. Winter's is especially hard to write, seeing as we learn more about him mostly through Moon's abilities.
Update: Aaaaand—fixed again. July 27, 2016.
The sheer coldness of the winter season chilled the winds to a frosty temperature in the land of Pyrrhia. One would've been able to see their breath if they exhaled outside in the cool air. The winter season brought along snow; the cool, white substance filled the land as far as one's eyes could see. The snow emitted a bright white sheen as the sun's rays of heat reflected off the snow's pearly white surface.
Jade Mountain was no exception. The snow packed itself tightly onto the hard, brown rock of the mountainside. It was as if the snow was desperately clinging for its life.
The dragonets of prophecy had turned the caves found in the mountain into a school. Many dragonets both royal and common had been invited to enroll in hopes of teaching each of them more about the tribes of Pyrrhia and dragonkind itself.
Along the walls of the caves were a number of torches hanging a symmetrical distance apart, keeping the caves lit and warm. A dragon brushed quickly past the torches, the embers of the flames were drawn out and just barely nicked the figure's body as the dragon sped by. The dragon had accidentally run into another of its kind, not stopping to apologize.
"Hey, watch where you're going you stupid IceWing!" The other dragon called out to the figure.
The IceWing didn't turn, it merely rolled its eyes and kept its fast pace up. Its footsteps resounded in the cave corridor, nothing but the sounds of its talons hitting the stone floor filled the air. The passage was bright enough as the torches on the walls provided a fair amount of vision to see. On occasion, a vine hanging from the ceiling interrupted the figure's travel path, forcing it to swerve to the side to avoid colliding into the green plant.
The dragon was known as Winter, the royal prince of the IceWing tribe. The IceWing gave off an aura of pride and confidence in each of its long strides as it walked through the mountain's caverns. His silvery white scales reflected the light the flames of the torches gave off and casted huge, monster-like shadows against the cave walls. His face was one of pure neutrality, not betraying any of the emotions being felt by the royal IceWing. His dark blue eyes were focused on the rocky path ahead of him, set on getting to his destination.
Winter trudged along the path until he came along to an intersection splitting left and right. He turned left, the long corridor seemed never-ending as the prince walked through the tunnels. It was only until he came across a small passage in the wall did he stop walking. He turned to face the alcove, looking left and right down the corridor to make sure no one was around before trotting in.
The small passage was big enough for a dragon one of Winter's size to fit in. It led to a narrow path that opened up into a giant cave exterior. Water droplets from dripping stalactites occasionally dripped to the floor with a small plop. To the far end of the cave was a wide open hole with an outside view, used as a makeshift window.
This isolated place had been unfrequented by the other students. Winter used it as his personal chamber, a place for him to hide from the other pesky dragonets of the school when his room wasn't a safe haven. Especially from Qibli, the obnoxious SandWing that Winter shared a room with.
The IceWing made his way to the back of the alcove, stopping directly in front of the gaping hole that served as a window. He sat back on his haunches and stared at the view outside, a beautiful sea of white snow that spread across the land. The IceWing prince sat and stared, all the while pondering over his thoughts.
Today had not been a particularly good day, and a little peace and quiet was what he needed. This was a place he'd go to to reflect and muse over past memories.
Winter didn't hear the footsteps echoing in the background behind him, too lost in his mind. He was broken from his trance as a NightWing sat down beside him. The prince turned to the unknown visitor in curiosity.
"Why were you following me?" Winter asked. He'd had a feeling he was being followed earlier.
The NightWing said nothing and Winter turned back to gaze at the sea of snow. Silence hung over them and the two dragons quietly enjoyed the afternoon view.
"So ... how are you?" The NightWing said, trying to strike up a conversation.
"Fine," Winter stated plainly.
"I see."
The two dragons stared at the glistening snow outside the mountain for a while longer in silence.
The NightWing sighed and spoke, breaking the silence. "You seem ... depressed."
"What? Are you my doctor or something? However I may be feeling is simply none of your business," Winter said. The NightWing frowned at that and Winter gave a slight smirk. "I ... am merely thinking about the past."
"Do you want to maybe talk about it?" The NightWing asked, hope in its voice that the IceWing would share his troubles.
"Sure, and then maybe we could get that blabbering RainWing friend of yours to quit being so bubbly." Sarcasm was heavily dripping in Winter's voice. "You NightWings are the last dragons I'd ever spill my secrets to, much less about my life. You're no exception, Moonwatcher."
No matter how ... different you may be from other NightWings, Winter thought, leaving it unsaid. He eyed the silver scales found beside Moon's eyes, regretfully noticing their size and sparkliness. Beautiful as always.
Moon glared at him but remained quiet. Although, Winter sensed that the glare held no anger within.
They both turned back to the blanket of white covering the earth. The sun had eventually been blocked by clouds and had now darkened the sky. Snow fell soon afterwards, a flurry of the cold flakes falling down to the earth to collect on the ground.
A snowflake drifted lazily into their little balcony. The crystallized water fell in between the two dragons and they both stared at it as it began to melt.
"You know, they say every snowflake is different," Moonwatcher said, staring at the water droplet formed by the snowflake as it seeped into the earth.
Winter nodded, also staring at the droplet. "So they say."
They drifted into a momentarily silence. Moon continued, "Each one is unique in shape and size. They may look the same, but each one is special in its own way. You just have to look a little closer."
Winter's gaze stiffened, he gritted his teeth together and his talons clenched the dirt beneath them tightly. "But they all have the same purpose don't they? To fall to the ground and eventually melt, no?" Winter's voice heightened in volume, "How can they possibly be different from one another?!"
Moon and Winter met each other's gazes; a cold, steely glare meeting calm eyes. They silently challenged the other to a staring contest. Their eyes held each other's line of sight for a minute until Moon backed down and sighed, looking shyly towards the floor.
Winter felt his stomach ache at the sight. He shook his head fiercely, forgetting the thought. Remember what father said. Be strong, be vigilant, strike first!
"Do you have any idea what your tribe has done to the IceWings?! Do you know of all the troubles that you NightWings have put us through?!" Winter yelled. The IceWing stared at the NightWing with unforgiving eyes, daring her to speak. Moon remained silent, and the royal prince looked back out the hole, still seething in rage and unable to put up with the miserable sight.
Neither dragon said anything. The tension in the air had clogged the area with an awkward sensation that Moon didn't dare break just yet.
Another snowflake fell in between them and the NightWing caught it with her talon. The snowflake melted into a water droplet and she let it slide from her claw, down to the earth. "They don't all land in the same area," Moon looked at Winter, "just give them a chance to prove themselves."
"And why should I?! What reason have they given to earn my forgiveness?!" Winter roared. His fury was getting the best of him. His usual cool and arrogant demeanor was replaced by an uncontrollable temper.
The NightWing took a step towards the IceWing. Winter took a step back in response, watching her cautiously. Moon moved closer to the prince, meeting Winter snout to snout. The NightWing wrapped her wings around the IceWing, whose eyes widened in surprise. She held him tightly, gently placing her head in the crook of Winter's neck.
Winter's body trembled, the emotions coursing through him were overwhelming. He felt nauseated and his mind was spinning. His eyes watered but his pride refused to let the tears flow. Don't you dare cry you good for nothing dragon. You shame the royal IceWing lineage. What would mother and father think of you? He thought bitterly.
Moon's grasp on him only tightened, doing her best to comfort the IceWing. The gesture chipped away at the walls Winter kept up to hide his emotions. It was enough that Winter's voice came out in a choked sob.
"I-it's ... it's my fault ... it's all my fault ...! Hailstorm ..." Winter said.
Winter stood there, accepting Moon's hug even though his body told him to resist it. Her actions soothed him to a calmed state and he blinked the unshed tears away. He coughed, clearing his throat. His voice lowered to a hushed whisper. "Why ... why are you here?" He whispered in her ear.
"Because ..." Moon's voice trailed off, searching for the right words to say.
"Because?"
"Because you're my friend."
Winter snorted and Moon unfurled her wings from the prince. He turned his head away childishly, saying, "I wouldn't be caught dead being friends with a NightWing."
Moon just smiled, knowing what he really meant to say.
Inside, a small twinge of disappointment made its way into the prince's chest as they broke connection. He shrugged it off as quickly as it came. I can't want that, Winter thought.
The NightWing started to trot her way back to the entrance of Winter's hideout when the IceWing prince called her back.
"Moon."
"Yes?"
Winter remained silent. The unspoken words left in the back of his throat. He couldn't say it, he just couldn't.
Moon giggled, "You're welcome." The NightWing's footsteps faded soon after.
The prince turned to the NightWing, only to see that she had already disappeared. Did she just read—? No, that's impossible. NightWings don't have any of their so called powers, it's all made up. He shook his head free from that thought and continued to stare out the hole, pondering over thoughts of old and now new.