With this chapter, we reach the end of Part 2. After this chapter, the story will begin to focus on the consequences of what occurred not only in Chapter 21 but also the consequences of Darkness of Dragons. This chapter also officially reveals the antagonist of the story, the one who started plaguing Peacemaker's nightmares.
Some of you may be surprised who the antagonist is, while some of you have hit the nail on the head. While it may come to a surprise to some, all I can say is there is a reason I chose this antagonist, and why I hinted at who they were in previous chapters.
With that being said, let's take flight!
Very little was known about Darkstalker's life two thousand years ago. The only information that was relevant in history classes was that he was a thrice Moonborn NightWing, because of this he had abilities of both seeing the future and reading minds. Because of his father, an IceWing Prince was an Animus: that made Darkstalker the first NightWing Animus in history. Somehow, he had survived for thousands of years, sleeping beneath Jade Mountain. Then he had awoken and convinced a large majority of the NightWing tribe to secede from Queen Glory and the RainWing tribe.
While this happened, the Mad NightWing had made a series of enchantments that affected the minds of dragons everywhere across the continent into thinking he was a benevolent dragon with pure intentions.
For the IceWings however, there was no 'gift' for them as a plague ravished the Ice Kingdom, killing hundreds of innocent IceWings and Queen Glacier herself.
It was only through the collective actions of the original Jade Winglet of Jade Mountain Academy that the IceWing plague was stopped and total war between the IceWings and NightWings averted. That same night the battle ended peacefully, everyone present at the sight of the battle saw Darkstalker swoop down, pluck up the SandWing of the Jade Winglet, Qibli, and flew off into the night. Not long after: two dragonets, Moonwatcher and Kinkajou, flew after their friend.
The next morning the three dragonets were safe and sound, with news that brought relief to every dragon across the continent, even to the NightWings who had followed the Animus: Darkstalker was defeated, gone forever…never to return.
But what had ever happened to Darkstalker? How had three dragonets defeated the most dangerous dragon in history? But six years passed and Darkstalker had never returned. And the world was better that way.
Peacemaker did not know the answer to that question. He was, however, starting to suspect what had happened as he answered the dark dragon that threatened Tempest's life.
"Darkstalker!" Peacemaker yelled, his eyes watering. "My name! My name is Darkstalker!"
As he said the name, his name, he felt his entire body grow cold. All of his senses dulled as a sick feeling entered his stomach at the realization of what he had just realized...and said to the world.
Peacemaker felt the invisible force release him. After his body hit the stone floor, Peacemaker lay motionless on the ground. The weight of what his answer had been and meant starting to take effect. His mind screamed at him, saying that he was wrong. These voices came in the form of the dragons he had known and loved since as long as he could remember.
"Don't ever think that!" A voice, sounding like his mother, scolded him.
"You are not Darkstalker!" That sounded like Moon…
"You are Peacemaker, you love strawberries and are kind and sweet!" Kinkajou's voice echoed in his mind.
Despite these voices pleading to him to not believe the words he had just spoken, they did little to convince him otherwise. Because as they screamed for his attention: He saw many images flood his mind in a series of flashes.
A Kingdom built into the mountains along the continent's southwestern coastline. NightWings taking to the night sky while going to their homes during the day.
A small home...Inhabited by four dragons: An IceWing, a peculiar NightWing named Whiteout, a dragon that looked like his mother. The last dragon? It was Peacemaker, before he even had the name "Peacemaker."
He saw images of him (as a NightWing with white scales on his spine) and Whiteout. He remembered Whiteout fixation on blue colors and her unique way of speaking…all things he loved about her. She was his sister, and he loved every part of who she was when others saw her as 'weird.'
He saw emerald green SeaWing. His best friend, a SeaWing Prince, an animus who was scared of his own powers yet had been brave enough to stop him.
And lastly he saw the NightWing with purple eyes, the greatest seer in history. His greatest love, but his greatest heartbreak.
All of these images (no...memories) flashed before his eyes. He didn't hear anything, but he knew names. Names of dragons who were loved by one dragon: Darkstalker. These were no one else's memories, these were Peacemaker's memories.
But how was he Darkstalker? He was only six and a half years old! Darkstalker was dead!
Digging his claws into the ground, Peacemaker looked up. Through his tear blurred vision, he saw the shadowed dragon approach him, the orange glow of his eyes glaring down at him.
"And so, the disguise has accepted reality," The dragon spoke, dropping Tempest onto the ground. Peacemaker looked at her, her aqua green eyes staring at him with shock…perhaps even horror.
"Stop it!" Came a shout from beside Peacemaker, it was Cliff. "His name is Peacemaker! He's our friend, he is not that monster!"
He heard Cliff struggle to get to his feet, but the shadowed dragon clearly did not perceive the Prince as a threat. Instead, he focused all of his anger on Peacemaker. This brought relief to him, none of his friends deserved to suffer.
"I've waited so long for this," The dragon sighed, almost in relief. "The enchantment they put on you is still in place…but you've pieced enough together on your own in order to shatter this undeserved fantasy world you live in."
Peacemaker ground his teeth together, anger raging inside of him at the dragon's words. But he knew, deep down, the dragon was not lying…the truth was undeniable.
He was the one who had enchanted Prince Arctic, his father, to gut himself before the entire ancient NightWing tribe. His actions caused the NightWings to flee and live in exile on a dormant volcano. He caused the IceWing plague that killed hundreds. The nightmares he had? They weren't random dreams, somehow they were memories…just like the memories of Whiteout.
Struggling to his feet, Peacemaker continued glared up at the dragon. Despite everything he learned Peacemaker felt more rage at what this dragon had done to his friends…he had almost killed Tempest! And for what? For him to remember who he was?!
"Who…are…you…?" Peacemaker managed, tiredly. "What do you want with me?"
Suddenly, the shadowed dragon's mouth opened, revealing jagged triangle teeth and an orange glow from within his mouth that matched his eyes, a demonic smile forming.
Then, the dark aura around the dragon started to disappear…finally revealing the dragon in detail.
His scales were light brown, but he had a peculiar dark brown diamond pattern that ran along the middle of his spine, tail, forehead, and snout. A pair of bloodshot green eyes gazed at him with absolute hatred. Around his eyes were dark circles, looking as though he had not slept in years. Based on the dragon's height, he must have been in his late twenties. Peacemaker spotted more critical details: He recognized the ruff on the dragon's head, his prehensile tail…he was a RainWing!
Slowly, Peacemaker's light blue eyes widened in horror as he recognized the dragon. He was not some random RainWing.
Wordless memories flooded his mind…
In them: Peacemaker, no, Darkstalker stood in a valley. This very RainWing giving a NightWing, who Darkstalker had in custody, an assuring look.
Then, he saw the RainWing and Darkstalker sitting in a room, somewhere in a palace, looking over a game board. The two analyzing the other for any weaknesses.
Finally, in that same room, he saw the two shaking the other's talons…
"To a united and stable Pyrrhia," Darkstalker said, twitching his lips into a smile.
"To a safe world," The RainWing corrected. Despite there being uncertainty in the older dragon's eyes, he still shook Darkstalker's talons with his own. "For our dragonets, and their dragonets."
Before the dragon answered, Peacemaker already knew his name. All of the memories that flooded into his mind confirmed his identity.
"My name is Adder," The dragon answered. "First of the Somni."
The King of the RainWings…Tempest's ancestor. Peacemaker wanted to demand how it was possible, but he knew that was a question not worth asking. Especially when Peacemaker was still coming to grips with the reality that he was the evilest dragon in the world.
"King…Adder?" Came the broken voice of Tempest, who barely managed to get to her feet. "Adder…I'm…"
Adder's green eyes shifted to blazing orange, the dark aura engulfing his scales. Suddenly, he lashed out at Tempest, who held up her talons. An invisible force deflected the swipe, but the blow still knocked her off balance.
"Blood traitor!" Adder snapped.
"Leave her alone!" Peacemaker demanded, managing to get to his feet.
Adder's onslaught continued relentlessly, however, as he continued to strike at whatever invisible force was protecting Tempest. But the more he struck, the more Tempest was knocked back…and the closer the RainWing King's talons grew closer to her.
"Peacemaker, wait!" Cliff shouted as Peacemaker raced forward.
The older Somnus swiped one last time at Tempest, this time the field that protected Tempest was broken when a flash of silver light appeared and fell to the ground. Raising his talons, Adder prepared to strike his descendant.
"Stop it!" Peacemaker roared, pouncing on top of the RainWing, who hissed in annoyance as Peacemaker wrapped his talons around the back of the older dragon's neck.
A rush of energy surged through Peacemaker's body, causing him to let go in pain and fall to the ground. Adder turned his attention back on him and opened his mouth.
"We have taken your Queens!"
Hundreds of voices pierced Peacemaker's skull. He felt his entire body grow numb and his vision begin to blur and grow shaky from those five words.
Collapsing to his knees, he clutched his ears as more words echoed, causing him to begin to lose consciousness.
"You want this!"
"This cave makes you happy!"
"Cast off your wings!"
"I said leave them alone!"
Peacemaker gasped for air as the words stopped and he regained control over his body. Looking up, he saw Cliff standing in between him and Adder, the latter of whom raised a talon to his forehead as if trying to overcome a headache.
"I said…I have no quarrel with you!" Adder hissed.
"You hurt my friends, you just made this personal!" Cliff snapped.
"So…be…it…" Adder said, towering over Cliff as he stalked closer.
"Adder, stop!" Tempest shouted, back on her feet, limping towards Cliff and standing in front of Peacemaker. "I have something for you! From Summer!"
The First Somnus froze in his tracks, his orange eyes reverting back to their natural green color.
"Please, just listen…" Tempest begged. "Summer knew what happened…"
What was she talking about? Who was Summer?
But whatever she was talking about, had Adder's attention as his green eyes blinked. However, Adder growled as he gripped his head with his talons, as if in pain.
"No! NO!" Adder screamed, his eyes turning back to their fiery orange color. "I will not stop! NOT UNTIL HE SUFFERS!"
Adder lunged at Cliff and Tempest with his claws extended before they could react. Eyes widening, Peacemaker saw what would happen next to his friends: They would be killed in one swipe.
He had to do something…
As time seemed to slow, Peacemaker felt a warmth enter his chest.
"Stay away!" Peacemaker shouted, raising his talons at the attacking Somnus.
Something invisible struck Adder, knocking him backward into the stone perch he had once stood on. Standing to his feet, Peacemaker pushed passed his friends, ignoring the shocked expressions on their faces.
"You! Will! Not! Hurt! Them!" Peacemaker roared. In between each word, he felt the ground start to shake. On instinct: he pushed his talons forward, sending forth five massive boulders flying at where Adder landed, each hitting the Somnus stronger than the last, sending the Somnus falling off his perch and further into the darkness.
Upon seeing what he had just done, Peacemaker felt his legs buckle, all the while staring at his palms…
"Peacemaker…" Cliff gasped, looking up: he saw his best friend looking at him with wide eyes, orange orbs staring into Peacemaker's light blue ones. "You…used magic?!"
He did…he had used magic. He didn't know how, but it had all been on instinct. But…there was only one NightWing Animus in existence, and he was Sunny's father, Stonemover. But he was underneath Jade Mountain!
There was only one line of Animi in the NightWing tribe.
A line Peacemaker was not a part of…at least, naturally.
His head grew light as the realization that he was, truly, Darkstalker took effect. Falling to the ground, Peacemaker shook his head violently.
"No. Nonononono!" Peacemaker said quietly, slamming his talons into the ground. "I'm…I'm not him…I'm Peacemaker!"
But no matter how many times he tried to deny this, the images of Whiteout filled his head. Images of the seer named Clearsight, the Animus Fathom…images of his mother with the IceWing prince in exile. All of these images and names spun in his head.
If this was all true…if…if his entire life was a lie…
Then…why had Moon lied to him? Why did his mother, of all dragons, lie to him!?
"Peacemaker, Peacemaker!" Tempest's voice snapped him out of his daze as he raised his head to look at her. She kneeled in front of him, her wings touching his shoulder. "We'll figure this out when we get back! But we need to go, now!"
"Guys…what's going on?!" Cliff interrupted. Looking in his direction, Peacemaker saw what Cliff was looking at.
From within the dark mist: A silver streak lit up in the darkness, darting back and forth in the air. But then, it stopped, as if spotting something.
"We need to go," Tempest said, urgently grabbing Peacemaker's talons.
"Tempest?" Peacemaker breathed nervously at the silver light. "What's happening?"
After motioning Cliff over to her, Tempest's aura glowed brighter as she wrapped her wings around them.
Then the silver light flew at them, multiplying into thousands of streaks.
"Tempest?!" Both Peacemaker and Cliff panicked.
"Return!" Tempest shouted.
In a flash of green light, Peacemaker's body felt as if it had been hurled in the air. He anticipated the awakening of his body…but something had changed. Opening his eyes, he saw that he, Cliff and Tempest were suspended in the air, the dream version of Phyrria hundreds of feet below.
Looking around him, Peacemaker felt his body grow cold when he spotted thousands of silver lights flying towards him and the others.
"What's happening?" Peacemaker asked, fearfully.
"I told you before," Tempest began, her breathing growing tired. "If Somnus dragons used magic in the Waking World, then the Waking World would actively seek to annihilate it…but in the Dream World:"
"…It will annihilate Animus magic," Cliff finished, looking over in Peacemaker's direction, before diverting his eyes to Tempest. "Why aren't we waking up!?"
"The Dream World won't let me…" Tempest panted. "I…I can't get us through!"
Peacemaker looked up at Tempest, her green eyes focused on the skyline. The glow in her eyes was stronger than the glow of either of their auras.
"Tempest…what are you doing?" He asked, not liking the determined look in Tempest's eyes.
Looking down at him, Tempest looked into his blue eyes. Her eyes filled with sadness, but just as much determination was in them.
"What I need to do," Was her answer.
He felt her talons squeeze his…all the while: his and Cliff's protective auras grew brighter as they raised above Tempest. But their friend's aura was starting to dim.
"Tempest?!" Peacemaker panicked, reaching out with his other talons and grabbed her's with both of his, all the while he felt something pull him upward, away from her. "What are you doing?"
Tempest gave him a sad smile.
"The Dream World knows one of us used Animus magic. But it does not know who…it just wants something to purge," Tempest answered.
Eyes widened in horror, Peacemaker attempted to pull himself down to her. His talons gripped her own tightly.
"No! No you're not staying," Peacemaker yelled. "You're coming with us!"
"Cliff," Tempest said quickly, ignoring Peacemaker. "Do you remember what you told me?"
Looking back at Cliff, Peacemaker saw that Cliff looked at Tempest with a conflicted stare. As if he was debating something. He noticed how the SkyWing prince was grasping Tempest's talons, showing he did not want to leave Tempest.
Then, Cliff's orange eyes looked into Peacemaker's. It was at that moment, he knew what his best friend had said to Tempest.
Cliff let go of Tempest's talons and reached out for Peacemaker's.
"Cliff?!" Peacemaker whispered. The next thing he knew, Cliff pried his talons away from Tempest's…and the two ascended to the Dream World's skyline, leaving Tempest below them!
Peacemaker screamed in protest, struggling against Cliff's talons that held him tight and kept him from going to Tempest. As the two returned to the Waking World: all he could do was helplessly watch as the silver light began to surround Tempest.
The last thing he saw of Tempest, was her smile…and her aquatic markings glow. Her forehead glowed once, followed by a stronger glow from her chest. The same message she and her father had shared with each other.
"Tempest!" Peacemaker yelled, jerking up off of his platform.
But instead of rolling off of his platform, he felt several strong talons keeping him down.
"He's awake!" Came Clay's voice as he and Tsunami pressed their talons down. "Peacemaker, it's alright! Relax!"
"Peacemaker! You're safe, it was just a dream!" At the sound of Moon's voice, Peacemaker stopped struggling.
Breathing slowly, Peacemaker saw that Clay and Tsunami were beside his sleeping platform, with Moon at the foot. When he had relaxed, Tsunami and Clay allowed him to sit up, both teachers visibly relieved. All the while, Peacemaker looked over at Moon looking at him with concern.
Instead of feeling warmth and safety when looking into her green eyes, he only felt his heart grow heavy when he remembered everything that had happened.
Moon had lied to him. She knew who he was.
He saw Moon's eyes widened. She was reading his thoughts as he recalled the images of Whiteout, his sister, and some of the memories of his life as Darkstalker bleeding through his mind. Moon looked like she was staring at a ghost, a ghost that had just come back to haunt her.
Her fearful reaction only confirmed what he had learned. Right now, he wanted to snap at her! To push her away from him!
However, someone shook his shoulder and snapped Peacemaker out of the silent, one way, conversation between him and Moon. Beside him he saw Jaguar looking at him with relieved eyes, brushing his wings against Peacemaker's. Realizing that his friend, one of his real friends, was truly concerned for him: Peacemaker brushed his wing against Jaguar's in response.
On the other end of the sleeping cave, Cliff was sitting upon his platform. Holding up his talons, he let a concerned Sunny know he was okay while Hyena and Alligator stayed close, both looking at the other nervously. The Winglet knew about the Dream World, so they knew it was no coincidence that, whatever was happening to their bodies, was not random.
He only hoped Tempest was…
…
Tempest!
Peacemaker pushed himself to his feet. At first, he anticipated the same injuries he sustained in the Dream World to carry over to the Waking World. Despite the soreness, he could move. That's all he needed to do! He needed to see Tempest!
"Peacemaker!" Moon and the other adults in the cave shouted at him as he rushed passed everyone, and into the Common Cave.
Ignoring their protests, Peacemaker skidded across the floor and raced for Tempest and Ermine's sleeping cave, panting heavily as he got closer.
Entering the cave, Peacemaker skid to a halt when he saw Professor Longhorn and Winter standing beside Tempest's sleeping platform.
"Come on! Wake up! Please, Tempest!" Came the desperate pleas of a dragonet. Pushing past Winter and Professor Longhorn, Peacemaker stopped dead in his tracks when he saw that the dragonet was Ermine, shaking a motionless Tempest's shoulder and pushing her muzzle into her neck. "Just wake up! Tempest!"
Tempest did not respond. For a heartbreaking moment Peacemaker thought Tempest was dead. Rushing forward, he kneeled in front of her…and heard faint breathing.
She was alive…but why wasn't she waking up?!
Looking up at Ermine, the IceWing's icy blue eyes looked up at his tearfully, they were begging him to tell her what was going on. Seeing the IceWing's tearful eyes made him remember the dream he had had, where a younger Ermine mourned the dead body of her youngest brother, Weasel: The twin of Stoat who died during the IceWing plague.
Dipping his head, Peacemaker let the guilt eat away at him as he remembered the atrocities that Darkstalker...no, that he committed against not just the IceWings but against Ermine: One of his friends.
"Peacemaker," Ermine spoke. Raising his head, he met her eyes again. "What's going on? Why isn't Tempest waking up?!"
He didn't answer...he couldn't answer.
But deep down, he knew the truth:
While Cliff and Peacemaker had made it back to the Waking World, Tempest's actions ensured there was just enough energy to bring them home.
But Tempest? She hadn't followed them back. She was still alive.
The situation was worse when he realized that Tempest was trapped in the Dream World.
With no way out.