Frigid grunted as he flattened himself to the cave floor just in time to avoid getting his face swiped by sharp claws, but before he could roll away or back up, those very same claws smashed into his nose not a moment later and and scarmbled backward to avoid another blow. He stood to his full height and growled, bearing his teeth at his opponent.

Sparring lessons with Kestrel were his least favorite lessons.

"Quit running away!" She roared lunging for him again with renewed ferocity, like him putting distance between them was a personal affront. He swung his spiked tail at her stop her from trying again to valiantly smash his skull in, but he wasn't quick enough and Kestrel dodged with ease and he resumed backing away from her as she lashed at his face.

Maybe hate was better word for how he felt about Kestrel and her "lessons" he though with a grimance.

Lessons with Kestrel rolled around again, causing Frigid to get irate. Kestrel getting on his nerves, and beating him up and trying slice and dice him was usually something he could handle.

But in this case? This day? Frigid wasn't having it. Today, the stifling air and enclosed walls of the cave he wouldn't ever call 'home' was looming around him and threatening to choke him. Usually he could ignore it, focus in Starflight's history rants, Tsunami and Glory bickering and he could pretend that he wasn't trapped.

But, like he said was a bad day.

Frigid lunged at Kestrel again, snarling when she dodged around him again. Kestrel looked bored and that only pushed Frigid to try to land a hit harder, but that anger made his attacks sloppier.

"STAND STILL KESTREL!" He roared, claws raised for another strike. Frigid didn't notice the paniced look on her face when she realized she couldn't move at all, he was focused purely hitting his target. His claws dug into her shoulder and he felt the sharp feeling of success bloom in his chest. 'I did it' he thought wildy as he twisted to put distance between them, 'I finally hit Kestel!'.

It was only then he met her eyes and saw her absolute fury and panic that she couldn't move. His pride at finally landing his first hit on Kestrel was slowly replaced by curiosity and then fear rose in its place.

Kestrel was going to kill him for this.

'Maybe.' A panicked dark voice in his head whispered, 'you should leave her like this, she can't hurt you or your family if shes stuck there.' But before he could even register that thought Dunes voice boomed through the cave and his gaze snapped to his other mentor.

"Frigid! Unfreeze her!" He growled, limping forward. On impluse, Frigid brustled with being told what do to but knew he couldn't leave Kestrel frozen like this. Even if he really REALLY wanted to, but he didn't even know how he made her freeze in the first place!

He stepped back into Kestels space, placing a claw on her arm and said, a bit uncertain in tone but willing her unfreeze, "You may move again Kestrel." Quick as lightning, her claws shot up and struck him across the face causing him to over balance and hit the floor. He bought his hand to his face and looked up at Kestel with wide eyes.

"Kestel!" Webs voice echoed from one of the cave enterances and she turned her furious look over to him and marched towards and past him, tail lashing, her voice echoing back at him.

"That Trice damned Icewing is an Animus." She hissed.

The word Animus echoed in his ears even as the rest of his siblings bundled in the cave, drowing out Tsunami's loud threats to her and Sunnys gentle grip on his face as she looked over the wound.

'Animus?' He sounded out in his head, staring at the tunnel Kestrel, Webs and Dune had disappeared down. He hadn't heard the word before, but it settled calmly in his mind, beating in time with his heart in a way that felt right and despite getting a wound that might scar, he felt calm.

'I'm an Animus'

When I was reading the first WoF book, I wanted to include an Icewing in the DoD group because Icewings are super cool. This was before I read that there were no more Icewing animi and Frigid should be impossible. So I've placed him in an AU where it is possible for him to be here and an Animus.

Anyway, thanks for reading!