Two As One: Chapter 18

The wind was growing stronger and the moon was rising higher as CloudDancer walked outside of Brockhall to take flight. The white bat stretched out her wings as she gazed up to the night sky. It was cold out and she could scent a storm on the air but it wouldn't reach Mossflower for a few hours. Crim stood nearby as he watched the bat with kind eyes. He had thanked her over and over again for doing this for them and yet he still didn't feel that was enough. However, CloudDancer had stemmed any other means of thanks.

"You be careful CloudDancer, and we'll await your return." The misty white bat glanced over her wing with a kind smile as Crim wished her well. Nodding her head in thanks, she stretched her wings out and took off into the night sky with a quiet screech escaping her lips. As the cool winter air filtered beneath her wings, a dark figure launched itself from one of the trees and began moving closer to the bat.

CloudDancer released another screech as she swerved around a large oak tree. Out of all the bats at Mount Bat Pit, she was probably one of the best flyers. She was quick and agile, which had saved her life many times in battle, or during encounters with other creatures. Her misty white fur stood out in the night but, by flying in the shadows and away from the moonlight, she could hide as well as any bat. Thankfully, the moon was hidden behind storm clouds, obscuring her figure even more in the dark of night. Or so she thought.

The bat was about to fly upwards to reach the canopy of the trees when her screech suddenly struck something that was coming at her fast. Blinking in surprise, she gazed upward and gasped a second before a large bird went flying right over her head, creating a huge gust of wind that sent her tumbling towards a tree. Luckily, CloudDancer was able to regain her composure before she could strike anything. The bat slowly landed upon one of the branches and looked up as a red tailed hawk flew right over her head, laughing madly.

"Run run little batty, I'll getcha! I'll getcha!"

"Mad bird…bird." CloudDancer grumbled quietly. The hawk soared higher into the air and disappeared from the bat's sight. A cold feeling of dread clutched her heart as she stretched out her wings and prepared to fly again. She couldn't waste time with a foolish old bird. He would only slow her do-

"Ha! Gotcha!" Without warning, the bird appeared right behind CloudDancer and snatched her up in his talons. The bat screeched in surprise and felt her wings crushed against her body. The hawk rose higher and higher into the air, the female bat caught in his clutches. CloudDancer struggled frantically but it was no use, the hawk was just too strong. I have to get him to release me…but how?! She thought despairingly to herself…then something occurred to her. It would take a lot of strength but maybe, just maybe she could disorientate the bird long enough for him to release her.

Taking a deep breath, CloudDancer closed her eyes and screeched as loud as she could, the high-pitched vibration flowing upward towards her captor's head. The moment the sound reached the hawk. The bird shrieked in surprise and unknowingly loosened his grip around the female. CloudDancer fell away from his talons and took off into the night while the hawk lowered himself to one of the tree branches. His golden eyes glared after the female in distaste as he sulked in frustration.

"I'll getcher….gotcher…getcher…." The hawk laughed madly and slowly headed back towards his tree base. He was an older beast, one driven on instinct rather then anything else. Once a great warrior, he was reduced to nothing but a bumbling old feather bag whose only purpose was to eat and survive. That hadn't always been his mannerism but a gash on the side of his head had caused him to lose his mind and become what he was. And what he might always be.

CloudDancer breathed heavily as she soared higher into the air. The hawk's talon had bit deeply into one of her wings, but it wasn't anything she couldn't handle. Still, it stung horribly and just watching her own blood fade away into the wind was enough to make her feel a bit sick. The bat shook her head, furious at herself for having gotten attacked by some feather bag. She was supposed to be the best flyer and yet she was overrun.

Now's not the time to think about that Cloud, you have a mission to do, she thought reproachfully at herself. Taking heed to her thoughts, the bat maiden silenced her frustrations and quickly continued her journey while storm clouds arose in the west. The winds whistled fiercely and the groan of trees could be heard from below. CloudDancer paid little heed to them as she disappeared from sight into the darkness of the night.

Out in the west where the storm was fully taking hold, a dark brown bat hung upside down in a cavern entrance. Mountains of all sizes and shapes arose around the center dwelling, almost making it impossible for any creature to spot the lone entrance. The bat watched with growing interest as the clouds opened up and released its fury upon the rock-covered land. Sand, stones, and snow became one as they twirled like a leaf on the wind. The screaming of the wind reached the bat's once sensitive ears and caused him to shiver slightly. It wasn't a pleasant sound.

"See anything Eon..Eon?" From behind the bat, another one, much smaller than he, stepped into view. She was about half his size and had fur as tan as the sand below them. The female bat gazed out at the storm and fluttered up to the elder's side as he responded in a gravel like voice.

"See a ring…a ring? What do you mean see a ring…a ring?" The young bat shook her head at her grandfather as she moved closer to the male. Taking a deep breath, she repeated her question in a much louder voice. Eon screeched in frustration and batted at her lightly with his brown wing.

"Screee! No need to shout Kestra…Kestra. I am not deaf …not deaf." Kestra rolled her eyes slightly as she settled down on her stomach to watch the storm.

"Could have fooled me…fooled me," she muttered beneath her breath. Though Eon was one of the oldest bats of Mount Bat Pit, as well as partly deaf, he still refused to stop guarding the entrance to the caves. He was a faithful old creature and very wise in the way of the world…even if he couldn't hear much. Kestra sighed and leaned against one of her wings as she gazed at the storm. Their leader Nightscree had asked her for the fifth time that week to keep guard in case any of the vermin attacking Salamandastron made it over near them. Though she didn't mind defending her home, guarding five days out of the week didn't seem like much fun to a young bat. Kestra yawned and looked up to her grandfather who was snoring uproariously from his position. Smiling in spite of herself, Kestra flicked a stone off of the cave ledge and looked into the sky.

Out in the distance, a shape began to take form right in front of the young one's eyes. The bat maid tilted her head to the side and got to her footpaws, ignoring the wind that threatened to fill her wings and blow her over. She could hear faint, pained screeches through the storm though she couldn't make them out. Kestra glanced nervously up at her grandfather then did the only thing that came to mind; screeched right back.

Her young, child like calls echoed in the cavern, making them sound much louder than they actually were. The blurred figure changed directions and called back in a stronger voice as it made it's way towards the cave. Deciding that it was indeed a bat, Kestra stood up and flew up to her grandfather's side.

"Eon! Eon…Eon! Wake up…wake up!" The old bat groggily opened his eyes and stretched his wings wide as the figure came closer and closer to the cave.

"Kestra what are you-"

"Incoming!!" Kestra ducked down as a white streak crashed right into the hanging brown bat. Both beasts went rolling across the cavern floor and disappeared over the ledge that led into the inner section of the cave. Kestra lifted a wing from her eyes and crawled over to the side of the rock. To her surprise, Eon was standing calmly on one of the ledges while a white female bat lay sprawled at his side. Her wings moved up and down with each breath of air while blood dripped steadily from her wing. Eon nudged the bat with the tip of his nose then glanced up at Kestra angrily.

"Why didn't you warn me….warn me?"

"But I did…I did!! You just didn't hear me…hear me." Eon shook his head, still refusing to believe that he was turning deaf. The white bat had finally regained enough breath to place her wings comfortably on the ground and lift herself upright. The moment Kestra saw who the creature was, the little bat screeched in delight and swooped down beside her.

"Cloudy!! You're back…you're back! Are you alright…alright?" CloudDancer looked up to the young bat and couldn't help but give her a kind, little smile. Though her wing was hurting horribly and her body was just beginning to warm up from the freezing storm, she was able to act as normal as any bat.

"Kestra, tis nice to see you again…again," she replied then glanced up at Eon. The elder bat was staring at her accusingly but the moment she tried to apologize for running into him, he wrapped his wings around her in welcome.

"So good to see you…see you." CloudDancer sighed in content as the elder bat hugged her. It was good to be back with her fellow species, even if it was to convey troubling news. Slowly the female pulled away from the ancient beast but before she could tell them the meaning of her presence, Kestra broke out into a stream of questions.

"Cloudy, how long are you here for…here for. Where's Webwinger…winger. Are you going to be here long…here long. You're hurt…you're hurt! Can I get you something for the wound…the wound. Are yo-"

"Kestra, take it easy my little friend…friend. Tis imperative that I speak with Nightscree…Nightscree."

"Why do you want to speak to an impaired bee…bee?" CloudDancer raised an eyebrow as she glanced over at Eon who looked just as confused. Kestra rolled her eyes up to the sky then nudged the white bat with her wing.

"Come along, I'll bring you to him…to him." Without another word, both bats spread their wings and took off towards the center of the cave. Eon shook his head, bewildered, and spread his wings to fly. He released a loud screech, listening for the echo. However, by the time he heard it, he crashed right into one of the walls. The bat slid down and rubbed a wing against his head as he took a step back.

"Who put that wall there…wall there?" he grumbled then headed back to the entrance to guard instead.

The two bats soared quietly into the next cave, the largest and most important of them all. Stalactites hung high over the ground where a lake, that flowed out side of the cave, was situated down below. The dark grey walls seemed to thrive with life as bats of all colors and different sizes flew from crevice to crevice or climbed up on the walls themselves. As they passed some of the walls that appeared to give off a bluish glow, CloudDancer began to breathe a bit heavier from the wound in her wing. The injury hadn't been that bad until she flew through the storm. With a quiet sigh, the bat tilted her wings and landed on one of the ledges that draped over the swirling pool beneath them.

Kestra flew upwards in a fluent motion until she came to the uppermost ledge in the cave. She was about to enter when she noticed CloudDancer wasn't behind her. Furrowing her brow, the young bat looked over the ledge to where her friend was quietly panting. Kestra sighed worriedly and entered the cave to find her two leaders. The cavern she entered was just like all the others. The walls glowed softly, creating a small pathway towards the back of the room. The bat walked slowly with the aid of her footpaws and the claws on her wings. No matter how many times she went to see the rulers of Mount Bat Pit, she was always nervous out of her mind over it. Nightscree and his mate Mirage were stern bats though kind, when they wanted to be. They had never done anything to hurt their minions, but their strength and stares could make any young bat feel afraid.

Once she came to the end of the hall, she looked up and found one of the bats napping with wings wrapped around her figure. Mirage. The female leader was probably one of the strangest creatures Kestra had ever met. Not only was she an odd colored gray bat with bright silver eyes but, she didn't speak like the rest of her species. Her voice was more fluent and not as whispery, though none of them could understand why. She was a ghost like creature to many of them since she could fade in and out of an area of bats, almost making them believe that she hadn't been there in the first place; hence the name Mirage.

Kestra turned slowly and started to walk away to find Nightscree when the bat suddenly called to her.

"He's in the cave beneath this one, Kestra. I'm sure he's just checking up on CloudDancer." The younger bat jerked backward in surprise. How could Mirage have known that the other bat was back?! Quietly, she moved forward but when she looked up towards her leader…she was no longer there. Kestra frowned slightly and turned to find Mirage directly behind her. Kestra let off a startled screech and ruffled her wings in agitation.

"Scree…my queen, I wish that you wouldn't scare me like that…like that." Mirage laughed softly and began to walk past her with a ghost like gait.

"What is there to be afraid of? A mirage appears when it pleases, but it'll never hurt you." Kestra lifted an eyebrow then followed her leader with a sigh. That was Mirage for you, full of riddles that led to the truth. The aged bat glanced back at her young minion with a smile before she took off into the air to find her husband and CloudDancer.

The female bat in question remained seated on the ledge, her wounded wing outstretched as she looked over the wound. It would heal over time but it would make flying a bit more difficult. She used her other wing to wipe away a little bit of damp snow and blood, her mind completely focused on herself instead of the creature that was slowly sneaking up behind her.

"Welcome back CloudDancer…Dancer." The white creature turned quickly as a midnight bat walked out onto the ledge with her. He was he larger than CloudDancer, in bulk, not fat. Actually, he wasn't even the same kind of bat as the female. Where she was more commonly related to the fruit bat, he was a vampire bat, and a very dangerous one at that. His eyes glowed a crimson red as he looked down his nose at the female.

"I thank you Nightscree…Nightscre,." CloudDancer replied softly and folded her wings at her sides. She couldn't say that she was afraid of her leader, but he did have a kind of personality that made a creature wary of angering him. The two remained silent as they listened to the constant screeches of their fellow bats. Nightscree stared with half closed eyes to the other side of the cave before speaking in the normal whispery voice of a bat.

"Why have you come back…come back? Do you need aid…need aid?" CloudDancer shook her head. It never ceased to amaze her how her leader could know what she was thinking. That was what made Nightscree so odd compared to the others. No other creature that she knew could read a beast as well as he. Folding her wings once more in slight discomfort, CloudDancer nodded her head and responded in a quiet voice.

"That I do my lord…my lord. You know of Redwall abbey do you not….you not?"

Nightscree nodded his head slowly but that was the only response CloudDancer received. Clearing her throat, she straightened out her stature and continued in what she hoped was a respectful tone of voice.

"My lord, the Redwaller's ask for your aid…your aid. A horde of vermin has taken over Mossflower as well as the abbey…abbey. There is a small group of resistance but-"

"No bat under my eyes will be made to fight in a battle that is not ours…not ours. Too many have fallen because of that horde over at Salamandastron…tron. I will not involve them in another war…war."

CloudDancer knew it was best not to argue with her leader. Once Nightscree made a decision it was final…but she just couldn't lay this aside. The resistance was counting on her; she had to help no matter what the consequence. Taking a deep breath, she moved in front of him and outstretched her wings.

"My lord, please reconsider…sider. What happens to Mossflower effects us all…us all. If they fall to vermin what is to keep them from attacking our ho-" Nightscree whirled on her, his dark wing almost buffeting her over the head as he screeched in a low dangerous tone.

"They have no reason to attack if we draw no attention to ourselves…ourselves! I have made my decision…sion. We will worry about the battle closer to home before any other…other."

Complete silence passed between the two bats as they stood staring at one another. Nightscree's dangerous eyes flamed as he watched CloudDancer slowly back away from him. She was use to his anger, but not anger that fierce. He wouldn't even hear her out! The female closed her eyes and turned her back on him. She knew Nightscree cared about the other bats but wasn't it their duty to give aid as well? If they just let the vermin take over the abbey…what would they do if they made their way towards the mountains? They wouldn't stand a chance.

"You are welcome to stay here for protection, as is your husband…husband. But I will not give unnecessary aid…aid."

"I just don't understand…derstand." Nightscree glanced over his shoulder at the white bat and narrowed his eyes slightly. Was she still questioning him? No beast usually pressed to change his mind after the second time of asking him but here she was…questioning him.

"What do you not understand…derstand."

"The vermin will only grow and attack here…here. Why can you not spare but a few bats…few bats?"

"Because we have already lost several to the war at Salamandastron." Both bats looked up in surprise as Mirage appeared in front of them. She was hanging upside down from a higher ledge, Kestra at her side. Both had flown down just in time to hear the last bit of the conversation, though nothing more than that. CloudDancer glanced up at the female leader then at Nightscree.

"Is this true…this true?" The ebony bat sighed deeply and nodded his head.

"Twenty have fallen….fallen. Sniped out of the sky on their way to the mountain…mountain. We have given aid to the badger lord but it has ended in tragedy….gedy. We are all connected in a war, CloudDancer, not just you…just you. If we do not keep ourselves protected, then once the horde defeats Salamandastron we will fall as well…as well."

The white bat jerked backward and shook her head furiously. Salamandastron fall to the likes of vermin? It just didn't seem conceivable. The mountain was a strong hold; surely Nightscree was mistaken. However, the look in her leader's eyes told her otherwise. Slowly the white bat gazed out at the others in the cave and shook her head.

"Are you sure the mountain is to fall… to fall?"

"I do not know Cloud but we will take no chances….chances."

Mirage gazed down at her husband from her perch then quickly whispered something in Kestra's ear. The young bat furrowed her brow and quickly shook her head in shock. Mirage rolled her eyes and screeched at Kestra until she released her claws from the stones and flew off towards the center of the cave. Nightscree looked up at his wife curiously as she dropped to the same level as he and CloudDancer. Though he hated to admit it, he sometimes he couldn't figure his own mate out. One moment she was on his side, the next she was on another. She was a bat of mystery…and deception.

"I sent Kestra to talk to a couple of the bats. We will send a small bit of aid to Redwall. I know you don't want to risk our troops, Nightscree but CloudDancer is right. We need to stop the threat before it comes to us. Salamandastron is strong and even though you do not respect OakRealm as much as you should, he is a good leader and will lead them to victory. The only way the vermin would win is if they gained extra help…and the only way that could happen is if the forces at Redwall joined with Salamandastron's attackers. Do you not see? The war is connected all around us. If we stop it at one place, we stop it everywhere."

Nightscree stared at his wife quietly as she gazed after Kestra. For a moment CloudDancer thought that he was going to give her a lashing down but instead, he merely looked to the many creatures that flew high above them. These were his people; he couldn't let them enter a war unwillingly. But Mirage was right. If they stopped the battle here and now, they could prevent further destruction of life…that was if everything worked out correctly. Gently he placed a wing around her shoulders and nodded slowly.

"You are right…are right. Several of our troops will fight with those in Mossflower…flower. We'll stop this treat before it becomes invincible…cible."

CloudDancer smiled quietly at her leader. It was probably the first time any bat had seen him change his mind at the drop of a dime. Slowly, the bat moved to their sides and spoke in a quieter, even more respectful tone, if that was possible.

"I must fly to Salamandastron as well to see if more hares can give aid…give aid. If I am permitted, I'll leave now and come back once I get a reply…reply. Meanwhile, send the bats towards Redwall and I will join them shortly…shortly."

Mirage tilted her head back and peered over at the white bat with a stern look in her eyes.

"Kestra and I will accompany you just in case the vermin are looking for bats to hit."

"Mirage you ca-" Mirage quickly placed a wing to Nightscree's mouth before he could object and looked into his eyes.

"Tis best to have a leader to represent us when we go to see OakRealm. Neither of you like each other so, it is best for me to go. Then I will travel with them to Redwall. You can aid the bats here, and I will aid the troops in Mossflower." She gave a wiry smile. "You know that you cannot keep track of me all the time, Nightscree."

Nightscree shook his head furiously but before he could even object to her, Mirage spread her wings and flew after Kestra. CloudDancer shook her head with a light laugh as she looked up at her leader with earnest eyes.

"Don't worry…worry. I shall keep an eye on her…on her."

Nightscree watched his wife as she disappeared within the mingle of bat bodies before he replied.

"I don't think any beast can keep an eye on her…on her."

Sometime later saw Kestra, Mirage and CloudDancer quietly standing on the ledge of Mount Bat Pit. The storm had ceased quite a bit, which would allow quick and efficient flying. After talking with several of the bats, they had managed to round up twenty-five volunteers to help Redwall. Mirage looked over at the assembling bats and spoke in a loud voice so that all could hear them.

"You are to fly to Mossflower and seek shelter in the trees. Beware of a hawk that flies nearby. CloudDancer, Kestra, or I will join you soon so that you can find your way. Some of you may not see this mountain again so I suggest that you speak with your families one last time before joining us. I give my word that I will make sure that every bat possible comes back home. I thank you for pledging yourselves to fight. You are the bravest of the brave and will be held in high respects from now and forever. Be swift of wing Night Flyers! And may the winds guide you back home!"

With those parting words, Mirage, Kestra and CloudDancer took off into the sky on their way to Salamandastron. The twenty-five that had chosen to follow went back inside the cave to do as Mirage suggested; say goodbye to their loved ones.

As the three bats disappeared, another one quietly made his way to the edge of the cave entrance. He glanced over at the twenty-five retreating creatures then, with a screech, launched himself into the air. Soon, another was making his way towards Salamandastron.

Mirage stared out over the vermin campsite with a sigh. She and the other two had made it within the boundaries of Salamandastron but before they could get much closer, one of the vermin scouts had almost shot Kestra down. Mirage stepped back from her perch in the tree she had landed in and glanced over at CloudDancer.

"Too many vermin are guarding our passage. We're going to have to either wait for the guards to move or find some other way to fly there. I don't want to take the chance of getting us shot."

The white bat growled quietly as she glared at one of the vermin archers. Curse the vermin and their ways, CloudDancer thought to herself and began to fly up to a higher branch. The Redwaller's needed help and they needed it now. If they stayed in the trees too long, the sun would rise and they'd have to wait a whole other night before they could even talk to the badger! The white bat shook her head and hung upside down in the tree so that she could see Mirage.

"The longer we wait the more dangerous it will be…will be. If the sun arises and they spot us we will be shot down before we can fly away…away." Mirage rubbed her face with a wing and nodded her head in agreement. The last pair of bats that had tried to contact Salamandastron had waited too long and, once the first ray of light came up, they had been set upon by the scores of vermin down below. They had already lost several bats by the vermin's paws, she wouldn't stand by and let two more fall to them because of rushing.

"We will wait. We cannot fly over towards the sea because of the winds. They're still strong and with the force of the waves, we could be knocked into the waters and lost. Even flying too high is out of the question…If they do not move, then we are going to have to fly back some other time or try to fly around the mountain and hope no vermin are there."

"But what if they are…they are?" Kestra asked worriedly. The elder bat stared at the massive mountain before them, but remained silent. No wonder Nightscree hadn't wanted her to come. Getting within a few feet of the badger's dwelling could mean death to them. And if they used their echolocation to find the way, their screeches would alert the vermin to their presence. It was a no win situation. Sighing deeply, Mirage gazed up at the other two.

"I do not know, Kestra. I'd say we could provide a distraction so at least one of us could get there but I don't want to risk either of your lives. We will just have to wait." The three exchanged quiet glances of doubt when suddenly a figure streaked past them. CloudDancer screeched in surprise and looked up into the sky in shock

"What in the name of wing was that…was that?!" Mirage and Kestra turned their gazes to the sky as well until the younger bat let loose a horrified, strangled cry.

"Eon?! What's he doing here…here?!"

Sure enough, Eon flew with all speed towards the mountain, his wings pumping up and down constantly. He released a screech and waited for the echo to sound back. By the time it did though, he had almost run right into one of the vermin guards then continued his way towards the mountain. A weasel down below lifted his bow and took aim at the aged bat as he grew nearer and nearer to the mountain. Just before he landed, the arrow was released at Eon's back. The vermin, as well as the three bats waited in baited suspense. Suddenly a strangled screeched rented the air and a black figure went plummeting towards the ground.

"No! Eon!" Kestra made to leap off the branch but Mirage shoved her down with her wings.

"Kestra no! Eon wouldn't want you to get killed by going after him. Come on… the guards are starting to leave, we have to take flight while we can."

Kestra remained where she was, her eyes riveted upon the dark form of her grandfather as he hit the sand down below. Why had he done it? Why had he just flown towards the mountain and gotten himself killed? The young bat sniffed back tears as CloudDancer came to her side.

"Come Kestra…tra….I…" CloudDancer shook her head sadly, unable to finish her statement. Kestra moved away from the white bat then took off slowly after Mirage. Though she couldn't bare the thought of seeing her grandfather in a crumpled heap on the ground, she just had to make sure he was…truly gone. Kestra gazed down at the accumulating vermin, checking desperately for any sign of her grandfather within their midst. She knew she had to hurry and get to the mountain before the vermin turned on the three bats again, but she couldn't leave without making sure. She had to find him if it was the last thing she did.

CloudDancer glanced over her right wing as she saw Kestra fall behind. She couldn't imagine what was going through the young bat's mind after seeing something like that happen. Quietly, she turned in the air and soared back towards the younger bat, her eyes searching the ground as well.

"Kestra we must hurry…hurry." The young bat glanced up at the white one then, with one last desperate attempt to find Eon, she dipped her wings and soared close to the ground. Vermin were everywhere, most heading to see the crazed bat that had flown into their camp area. Kestra narrowed her eyes and screeched softly until she felt it echo against a still form on the ground. Then she knew. Eon had fallen.

Choking back the tears that threatened to over come her, Kestra lifted into the air and flew beside CloudDancer. The elder bat lowered her head in respect as she flew on. All they could do now was complete their mission and mourn their loss at the same time. Mirage closed her eyes for a moment as she landed upon one of Salamandastron's ledges. Though she didn't show it, losing one of her own was the most painful thing in her life. Like most leaders, she had a heart and felt a large responsibility for what happened to her troops. Eon had been a faithful soldier in his youth and now that he was gone, it only made Mirage realize how much he would be missed.

Sighing, she watched as Kestra and CloudDancer landed beside her on the ledge. She looked to the younger bat and held out a wing to comfort her, her face still trying to remain emotionless.

"Kestra, I'm sorry for your loss. Eon was a great ba-"

"Just leave me be….me be," she whispered softly and flew through the open window. Mirage lowered her eyes and sighed deeply before following close behind. CloudDancer remained on the rim a moment longer and gazed down at the company of vermin that surrounded Eon. Touching her wing to her nose as a sign of respect, she quietly ducked in after the two bats.