Present time!
Fergus's POV
At twilight, I wake up and stretch. The roost always feels warm, probably from the sun shining on the tree all day long. The only bats in here besides me is Aurora and Bathsheba. The two of them are still asleep, so I silently fly past them. Careful not to wake them. Aurora likes to dream, and Bathsheba is always in a better mood when she gets a good sleep.
Outside, the sky was a pretty mix of blue and purple, with bright, shining stars. In the far mountains and trees beyond the horizon, a thin line of pink from the sunset was fading away. I may not know what the sun looks like, but seeing it is defiantly one of the things I want to do before I die.
The first person I see who's awake, is my mom. She stands outside on one of the branches, her hair blows in the soft breeze. My mom is called Frieda, she's the leader of the colony and is the most wisest person I know. Even from here, I can see the silver shine of her band. For as long as I could remember, my mom has had that band. Its silver, and shines in the moonlight and while it was mysterious to me, I never asked her how or why she has it.
When I was a young pup, I use to day dream that my mom got her band as a reward from fighting enemies and protecting bats in the colony. Even though I never seen her fight someone. Not physically anyway. Now that I'm older, I don't day dream about it anymore.
She suddenly turned her head and looked at me. She smiled and motioned for me to come over. I jumped into the air and flew over to her, landing next to her. "Hi Ma." I said as my feet touched the branch. Over the years, I had went from calling her 'Mama' to 'Ma'.
"Did you have a nice sleep, Fergus?" She asked as she reached up and fixed my main."Uh yeah Ma." My voice sounds hollow as I tell her that. For a moment, I hope that she didn't hear it.
But she did.
Her face changed, and her smile disappeared. "Whats wrong?" She asked, sounding worried. I don't know how, but my mom has always been able to sense when something is wrong or when I'm hiding something. I learned that the hard way when I was little. I could keep a secret from her for very long.
I sighed. "..You know how I'm half owl?" I asked. I was hoping it won't trouble her, but my mom's eyes seemed to grow with more worry. "..Yes.." I gulped. I really don't want to tell her, my mom becomes uneasy when I talk about being half owl. Its not that she doesn't like me being half owl, its just that my dad is General Brutus, the supreme commander of the owls.
I'v seen my dad only a few times in my life, but whenever I saw him he would scowl at me. I don't think he likes me very much-Or my mom, though I can't understand why. I barely know him, but he makes me uncomfortable. Every time I see him, he makes me feel as though I'v disappointed him. Even though I didn't do anything.
"..I had a dream about them..I was hunting and all of the sudden, Dad comes and.." My voice trails off for a second. I don't want to tell her what happens next. But the look in her eyes makes me tell her. "..He kills me..He said I was a traitor, and that I had to be punished..So he..Killed me." I wish I didn't say that. I hate telling my mom these things, she has plenty to worry about already.
As an elder and the leader, my mom has a lot of responsibility: Keep the colony safe, plan the migration, make sure everyone has enough food, water and rest, lead the colony to Stone Hold and to Hibernaculum and back to Tree Haven every year. I'v learnt to be patient with my mom years ago because of this, but this is also the reason why I would rather keep certain things to myself rather then tell her about them. She doesn't need to worry about me all the time.
I stand there, waiting for my mom to say something. I expect her to be upset but to my surprise, she just sighs. Cupping my face in her hands. "Fergus you aren't a traitor. Being half of something doesn't make you a traitor." She said.
"Yeah, but it sure makes Dad hate me." I muttered. I don't hate my dad, but I don't understand him. He's always angry about something and he never seems happy when he see's my mom and I.
Mom rubs my cheek, the same way she always does when I'm like this. "Now Fergus, I'v been telling you ever since you were little, your father doesn't hate you. He just doesn't like bats." She said, trying to make me feel better.
"Because bats didn't join the battle of the birds and the beasts and didn't pick a side, I know Ma." I said. Even I know this story, Mom brought me down to the Echo Chamber once and thats where I learned it. Its also where I learned the legend about owl-bat hybrids.
The legend goes like this: When the moon is starting to rise, and the sun is starting to set, an owl and a bat can become one and make a hybrid. Pretty small legend, it kinda sounds like folklore. Something like that legend that if a human is bitten by wolf, they become a werewolf or the one that if a human is bitten by a bat, they become a vampire. (Though those stories are made up by humans, its also told in the forests too..Even though we have no idea what vampires and werewolves are.)
Luckily, Mom told me everything she and the elders knew about the legend and how it kind of conflicts with the great battle. Bats are all deemed traitors of the forest and owls are almost like their sworn enemies. A creature thats half bat, half owl would be like having a creature thats half a traitor to the forest, and half enemy to bats.
As if the legend knew there would be a disliking amongst owls and bats, the legend had a law that came with it. All bat-owl hybrids must choose a side. The bats, or the owls. The decision must be made by the hybrids alone, and no one can force them to choose which side to join. Although I haven't made my choice yet, I know it'll be a bad decision.
If I choose to stay in the colony, my dad might start a war between himself and the silverwings. Just because he hates the idea of me being apart of a bats colony. But if I join the owls, I'll be forced to hurt and kill bats from other colonies for crimes they committed. I can't do that! I'm not a fighter, I won't even fight to protect myself from bullies, let alone kill someone.
I sighed, putting my hand on top of my mom's. "Its just that..Sometimes, it feels like I'v disappointed Dad and all his owls hate me just for being half bat and the colony doesn't like me because I'm half owl." How long have I felt like that? Years? probably my hole life.
All the owls in the forest would look at me with disgust and all the other silverwings avoid me and some of the younger ones even bully me because of it. Its almost as if I'v already disappointed everyone in my life just for being me.
"..Look at me.." Mom's voice sounded softer. Her voice always sounds soft and calm, but this time it sounded softer then usual. I look back at her. My chin had fallen down without me knowing it.
"It doesn't matter what you look like, its whats on the inside that counts and your a good boy, Fergus. Your friendly, gentle, sweet, caring. Being half bat and half owl doesn't make you who you are. Its you who decides who you are. No one else can decide that for you." She said, still rubbing my cheek.
Her words sooth me. Without really thinking about it, I wrap my arms around her and hug her. She hugs back, kissing my cheek as she does. I'm glad I have my mom to talk to, she always knows just what to say to me to make me feel better. My mom is very well known for her wisdom and is kind and fair. I adore her for that, but I also feel inadequate compared to her. She always knows how to handle things, how to fix things and make everything ok.
My mom knows how to be a leader.
I dont.
Its not just my mom I feel inadequate with, its my dad too. My dad is the supreme commander of the owls and is a general. He's brave, daring, mighty, strong, and ambitious. He knows how to command attention, and he can decide how to punish criminals. I don't adore my father as much as I fear him. He's everything I don't want to be.
As the son of two leaders, I have a big chance of becoming one someday. But I'm not sure if its the destiny I want. I could become a leader to the Silverwing colony, but I'm not wise like my mom. I could be a general to the owls, but I'm not brave like my dad.
I look like General Brutus and Elder Frieda Silverwing, but I'm not them. I'm no leader, or general..And I'm not sure if I want to be.
When our hug ends, I hear wingbeats and then the voice. "Hay Gus!" Gus. Only one person in the entire colony can get away with calling me that. I look up and see Shade and his younger half sister, Astra. Shade and Astra could easily be my only friends in the entire colony. Their both outcasts too.
Shade is a runt, making him the smallest bat in the colony. He has light blue fur, pale muzzle, dark pink nose, green eyes, and yellow main and hair. He's always called 'runt' by other youngsters in the colony, and is usually picked on because of that. But he's also brave, he's not easy to scare, and is always looking for something to prove he's not a weakling. He and I became friends when he got pushed by one of the youngsters and he landed in the mud. I had helped him out and asked if he was ok, then one of the youngsters tried to make me drown in the mud. Shade bit him, and though that got him in trouble, it made that young bat stop bullying us.
From that day on, Shade and I were the best of friends.
His younger sister is the only one I can truly relate to. Astra is a bat-owl hybrid like me, only her dad is one of my dad's lieutenant. I don't know him, but I think his name is Atlas. Astra has light purple fur, green eyes, brown owl wings, brown main and hair with an orange streak in the side, peach muzzle, pink bat nose, brownish, black owl legs, bat like feet with with owl claws and blue markings around her eyes. She almost looks like her mom, Ariel, with her eyes and fur, but she looks different too. She's curious, but careful to stay out of trouble. Astra's not like most of the girls in the colony, she doesn't go after a boy because he's handsome or cute, (In fact, I'm not so sure if she even looks at boys) but she does like to hunt and go on adventures. She's tomboyish in her nature, but good hearted and is a very good person to confide in.
Astra is an outcast for the same reason as me. We'r both half owl. But she's more optimistic about it then me, her dad said that he didn't care what side she choose's, as long as its the one she wants and that he'll support her either way. I feel a little jealous of her for that. Her dad is more supportive, and more understanding then mine. I keep that to myself though, its not something I like to think about.
I met Astra the same day I met Shade. After the bullies left us alone, Shade took me to meet Astra. I didn't know she was a hybrid just like me until she and I met for the first time. I'm glad Astra is my friend, not only because she's an amazing friend, but also because she knows what its like being outcasted by the colony just because I'm half owl.
"Want to go out hunting with us, Greg?" Shade called. Some of the bats call me 'Greg', its a nickname that Aurora gave me when she babysat me. Now its kind of a nickname everyone calls me. 'Gus' however, is a nickname Astra made up, and only she can get away with calling me that. Gus is a special nickname to me, made by a very special friend.
"Coming guys!" I called back. I looked back at my mom, who was smiling at me. The same smile she always smiles when I'm about to go hang out with Shade and Astra. I guess she smiles it because she's happy that I have friends. "Have fun, Fergus." She said, as I leaned down and kissed her cheek. Because I'm half owl, I'm taller then my mom-well, actually, I'm taller then everyone. Especially Bathsheba, I was taller then her even when I was a baby!
I like to think that my height is my contribution to the colony: I can reach tall things if theres something no one can reach and can't fly to get it. Its not much, but I'm comfortable with it and its something no one objects to.
"I love you, Ma." I said. "I love you too." She said, as I jumped in the air. As I flew away, my mom flew back inside Tree Haven.
Shade, Astra and I flew over to the forest. To our favorite spot. A broken trunk that had fallen into the mud years earlier. Its old and smells strange, which is why its a great place to be alone. No one else likes it but the three of us, and we can do what we want here without anyone else noticing.
"Guess what!" Said Astra, bouncing on the bark. Shade groaned, he loved Astra very much but he found her annoying sometimes. "What?" He growled. Astra grinned. "Its almost time to migrate!" She said.
Shade and I looked at each other. Confused. Personally, the migration isn't very fun to me. Flying for days, eating and roosting only when we can, and then sleeping for months. The entire thing is a little crazy to me. Not to mention the fact that all the males are in Stone Hold. Everyones dad is there, but mine.
Astra sighed, frustrated that we weren't getting it. "Don't you see? Its going to be an adventure! We'll get to of to new places, see different things, it'll be so much fun!" When Shade and I didn't say anything, she sighed again. "Guys, whats wrong? Aren't you excited?" She asked.
Finally, Shade spoke. "The hole point of the migration is to sleep through winter." He said, trying to get Astra to see his point. Astra shrugged. "I know that, but first we get fly around the world. Whats so bad about that?"
"Going to Stone Hold." I said without thinking. Shade and Astra both looked at me with surprise…Well, Astra did. Shade just looked more startled that I said that. "Whats wrong with Stone Hold?" Astra asked.
I sighed. "You know..The dads.." I don't need to say anymore, Astra gets it. "I know, your dad and my dad aren't going to be there." She said. "Yeah, but it's still hard." I said. Remembering the last time I went on that stupid migration. Watching everyone my being reunited with their fathers and females being reunited with their mates while my mom and I sit there with only the elders and Mercury.
Its lonely. Thats all I can describe it. Its the only time I wish my dad was around.
Shade spoke then. "At least you two know where your dads are, I don't even know where mine is." He said. Shade's dad is called Cassiel. From what I was told, he disappeared one night. They say the owls got him, though no one knows for sure. I secretly hope they didn't, I don't want to believe my dad had Shade's dad killed.
We'r all silent for a moment. Not sure what to say next, I guess. Then finally, Astra spoke again. "Hey, why are we moping around for? Why don't we go hunting?" She asked as she started flying. Shade and I both grinned as a tiger moth flew by. "Last one to get a tiger moths a rotten egg!" Shade said, as he flew after it.
"Hay!" Astra gasped.
"No fair!" I added, I spread my wings and chased after him. Astra flying behind me.
I don't really like tiger moths that much, their hard to catch and I'm not good with echolocation. But I do like to chase after them with Shade and Astra, and the few times I catch one it always tastes good.
Already, I know I'm going to lose. I'm easily distracted by the fireflies that buzz past me and dance in the air, like stars flying down from the sky. The leaves and flowers that move as Shade rushes past them, and the trees we pas by. Over and under. Around and around. Up and down.
The tiger moth suddenly multiplies making several twins of itself. Echoprojections. "Hay!" Shade gasped, after he tried to bite one of the fake bugs. He chased after the tiger moth when he saw it.
Astra and I chased after him, more like watching him do it rather then join him. As bat-owl hybrids, Astra and I have trouble with echolocation. we can do it, but its hard for us.
Shade was getting closer, the tiger moth was practically at his finger tips, he reached out and-
Chinook flew confront of him and caught it.
"Ahh!" Shade whirled around, spinning in the air. "Shade!" Astra and I gasped at the same time. Didn't see that coming.
Chinook flew over to a tree branch where two other young silverwings were. Todd and Breeze. Oh no, not these three! Chinook is a big mouthed showoff, and Todd and Breeze are his two minions. Chinook is a dark blue silverwing, with light blue and purple main and hair. His eyes are yellowish green, and his muzzle is whitish peach. Breeze is all shades of purple except for her yellow eyes and hair and dark pink nose. Todd is short and overweight, with greenish blue fur, orange hair and main, green eyes and white muzzle.
"What! Way to go Chinook!" Said Todd. "Who the bat? You the bat!" Said Breeze.
"Cool technique!" Breeze squealed. Chinook swallowed the tiger moth. "I know." He said, trying to look cool. "That Tiger moth never saw what his him!" Breeze chanted. Its pretty obvious that she likes Chinook. Why wouldn't she? Chinook is always showing off to her, and she's always around him. Todd meanwhile, looks up to Chinook as a role model. When it comes down to it, those two are like Chinooks two pets. Following him around wherever he goes and following his every move.
"Neither did Shade!" Said Chinook. The three of them burst out laughing.
Shade frowned, annoyed with them. "Shade, don't-" Astra tried to reason with him, but it was too late. Shade flew over to the three and roosted next to Chinook.
Astra and I had no choice but to follow him. Shade does this sometimes, try and confront who ever's bullying him. Leaving Astra and I to be his back up.
"I could have had him!" He said. Chinook just smirked at him. "Coulda woulda shoulda!" He said, tapping him on the chest, making Shade fall off his roost.
"Ooh! Twice!" Said Todd, crossing his arms.
"Leave him alone Chinook!" Said Astra. She didn't like Chinook one bit. Chinook's grin depend when he saw us. "Well, well, well, look who we have here. Runt's freakish sister, and Frieda's embarrassment of a son." He and Todd and Breeze started laughing again.
Astra clenched her teeth and her hands tightened into fists. She hated being called a freak. I could only bite my lip. Chinook has been calling me my moms embarrassment ever since he found out I'm Frieda's son. I guess he doesn't really believe I'm truly her son.
Chinook looked back at Shade. "Don't sweat it, Runt. Only the best hunters can see through the moths echo protection." He said. Shade snorted. "Echoprotection? The word is echoprojection and don't call me runt!" He said, frowning.
"Yeah, and he was going to get that moth when you stole it from him!" I said. Like I said before, I'm not a fighter, but I will defend my friends if I need to. Chinook just laughs at me. "Yeah right, Curtis." He said.
I frown at him. Chinook knows my name, he knows how to say it but he mistakes it for 'Curtis' and as for my nicknames, he would call me 'Craig', 'Egg', and 'Grass'. He does that just to get on my nerves.
Chinook then looked back at Breeze and Todd. "Now, where was I before I was forced to eat yet another tiger moth?" he asked, making Shade groan. Astra snarled, and I sighed. We all knew what was coming.
"You were telling us about your dad." Said Breeze.
"Oh he's big." He climbed off his roost and jumped on the branch. "Big enough to kill an owl!" He exclaimed, stretching out his wings. "Wow!" Breeze breathed, looking dreamily at him. "Thats even bigger then what you said last time." Said Todd.
Astra and I both frowned. If Chinook really thinks his dad is big enough to kill an owl, then he's full of guano. I don't even need to look at Astra to know that she secretly wishes he would just shut up. I know I do.
"Big enough to kill an owl?!" Shade laughed. "I don't think so."
"You calling me a lier, Runt?" Asked Chinook as he landed next to him. Shoving him. "Not Technically." Said Shade Carefully.
Breeze laughed. "Careful Chinook, Owl girl and Leader's boy might go crying to their daddies and tell on you." She said sarcastically. She and Todd and Chinook laughed.
Before I could say anything, Astra spoke. "Oh please! If Gus's dad was here right now, all three of you will be flying faster then a rabbit running away from a human machine!" She said. "Can we please stop talking about my dad?" I asked. I really don't like it when this happens, it makes me uncomfortable.
"My fathers huge!" Chinook continued, pushing Shade again. "You'll see him when we get to Hibernaculum." He said, pointing at Shade then lifting him up and flinging him aside. "If your runty, little wings can make the migration." He said.
"Chinook-" Astra started saying, but Chinook interrupted her. "Then again, why bother when you don't have a dad anyway?"
Oh no he didn't..He did not just say that..
"Don't talk about my dad like that!" Shade snapped.
"Your dad was bad news! He was a troublemaker and a coward!" Chinook snapped back.
He did it..He said it..Just as I thought, Chinook is full of guano..
"My dad was not a coward!" Shade yelled, looking hurt. He looked away from Chinook in disgust. "You fruit bat." He muttered. Astra put her hand on his back. I don't know what she hates more, Chinooks nasty words, or her big brother being hurt.
I hate it too, Chinook has no right to say such things about someone he never met. Its one thing to brag about your dad, to insult someone else's dad is another. I know I should try and defend Shade but though I have so much to say to Chinook, I have no voice to speak them. And though my anger weighs heavily on my chest, my hands don't clench into fists.
I'm not a fighter. I'm not going to hurt Chinook. I can't hurt Chinook.
Something about being unable put a voice to my words, or strength in my fists makes me feel weak. Like a poor excuse for a friend.
"Suns coming up." Said Breeze, changing the subject. Something that I'm relived about. "Better get back to Tree Haven."
Todd looked back at Chinook. "Come on, Chinook, lets go." Why does he and Breeze look concern all of the sudden? Are they just concern about returning home? Or do they just want Chinook to lead the way?
Chinook gives one last frown at Shade, Astra and I. "You better watch your mouth." He said. Then looked at Todd and Breeze. "Lets fly!" He said, pushing Shade once again. Only this time, I caught him. Which makes Chinook frown slightly.
Astra sighs. "Don't worry, I'll tell Mom. She'll know what to do." She told Shade as she flew away. Count on Astra to tell Ariel everything, she never keeps bullying a secret.
I helped Shade stand up but then he roosted on the branch, surprising me. "Come on, Shade!" Called Breeze. Oh, now she's concerned?
"You guys go! I'm gonna hang around here and see the sun!" What?! I'm so startled by what he said, I jump. "Shade?!" Is all that comes out of my mouth.
Chinook, Todd and Breeze stop flying and bang into each other. Astra almost hits a tree, but quickly corrects herself and flies over to us. "Are you out of your mind?!" She asked, shocked. Shade flew back up on the branch. "What do you think?" He asked sarcastically.
Chinook flew back to us, Todd and Breeze, following him. "See the sun?" He asked. Shade smiled deviously at him. "You heard me." He said. "I heard you, I don't believe you." Said Chinook.
"I don't know what it is your doing, Shade, but its not a good idea." Said Astra. Todd and Breeze studied Shade with shock. "You can't be outside when the sun comes up, the owls will kill you!" Said Breeze.
For once, Breeze had said something meaningful. Having been raised in the elders roost, I know all the laws of our colony. This law, not seeing the sun, is the most Important, and has the most severe punishment. Not to mention that my dad will personally take the lawbreakers and have them killed.
"Not just any owl, my dad will kill you." I said, shaking at the thought. How can I make this stop?
Shade just ignores us and looks back at Chinook. "Don't believe me Chinook?" He asked, looking innocent. "Join me, aren't you curious?" He asked.
..Oh Nocturna, this is not good..
Chinook took a moment before talking. "Maybe I am..Runt!" He said. Todd, Breeze, Astra and I could only stand there, utterly speechless. Chinook suddenly looked at Astra and I, grinning deviously. "In fact, how about Craig and Astra join us." He suggested. Astra and I gasped. "Think about it, with them being half owl, they could protect us." He said.
Before anyone can stop her, Astra flew away as fast as she could. As she flies, I silently hope she's going to get Ariel. Anyone who can stop them. Suddenly, Shade grabbed my hand. "I guess your gonna see the sun with us, Greg." He said. So he's going along with it?
"..I..Uhh.." My voice sounded low and shaky. What do I say? My mind is racing, my heart is pounding and I know this isn't going to end well! Chinook just laughs at me. "Come on, or are you just going to fly over to your mommy?" He taunted. I bit my lip, to prevent myself from yelling.
"Are you out of your mind? its against the law!" Said Todd. "Its a stupid law, right Chinook and Greg?" Asked Shade. Chinook and I cold only blink at him. I suddenly realized Chinook was shaking. Is he scared? Is that why he wants me here?
Todd sighed. "Guys, its morning. We should really be inside." He said, flying away. Breeze followed. "I'm with ya, Todd." She said.
For a moment, Shade, Chinook and I stood there. Not sure what to say I guess. "So..What are we gonna do? Just hang out?" Asked Chinook. I guess he just wanted to start a conversation.
"I thought maybe we could fly to the top to get a better view." Said Shade as he flew up to the top branch. "Guys, I really don't think-" Chinook grabbed my arm to keep me from flying away. "Stay Fergus, please." He whispered. Thats the first time I ever heard him say my name. Its also the first time I ever heard fear in his voice. He really is scared.
I'm so speechless I don't know what to say. Just minutes ago, Chinook was the big, bad bully. Now, he's scared and is begging me to stay. I don't what to do. I wish my mom was here, she'd know what to do. She'd call it off and have us go right to Tree Haven. Thats what I want to do, but I don't know how.
"What are you two waiting for?" Shade called down to us. Chinook held on to my arm. I decided to do the only thing I could think of doing. I rubbed his hand. "I'll fly with you and roost next to you." I whispered.
Chinook smiled a shy smile. "Thanks.." He whispered back. The two of us flew up to the top of the tree, and roosted with Shade.
The sky was purple, pink, orange, yellow and white. Purple shadows outlined the forest, and the rivers and lakes nearby shinned golden and white. Beautiful. Thats the only word I can describe it.
"Well, I guess that the sun!" Said Chinook. "We better get back." Hope. Nothing but hope and fear in his voice. Poor guy. Shade sighed. "Thats just the prequel." He said.
"Oh..Well." Chinook searched for his words. "Sure hope theres no owls around." He said.
I joined in, purely to get Shade to let us go back. "Yeah, especially my dad. Who knows what he'll do if he sees us." I said.
Shade frowned. "What do you care? According to you, bats can kill owls." He said.
"So we'r gonna kill Fergus's dad, how nice." Said Chinook. "Yeah, lovely." I added. Even though I knew Shade was joking.
"Hay you know what I was just thinking? We not see the sun and say we saw it." He said with hope. "How about that?
"Oh really?" Asked Shade, deviously.
We'r not going to do that, are we?
Chinook seems to know that we'r not going to do it. He starts shaking and comes closer to me. Why is he so desperate to be near me? Does he secretly hope I can shield him from the owls?
Before I can ask, he flies away. As fast as he could.
Just Shade and I now. Alone. "Shade..We need to go." I said. Shade frowned at me. "Don't be a fruit bat, Fergus. Nothings gonna happen." He said.
"But my dad-" He won't listen. "Quite your worrying, just for a little while, Greg. Nothings wrong." He pointed at the sun. "Look!"
I sighed and looked.
Something big and bright came out from the hills. Its bright, so bright that Shade and I had to cover our eyes for a moment before looking again. It wasn't just bright, it was warm. Warmer then warm. It practically melted all the cold and darkness away with just its glow.
"So..Beautiful.." Shade muttered. "And..Warm." He added. "..Its amazing.." I said. There was no other word I could think of to describe it. Utterly, blindingly, amazing.
Until the loud screech pierced my ears and the claws came flying over. Oh crap!
