She didn't know where she was. A strange cave, beautifully decorated. Moon looked around the room in confusion, her emerald eyes landing on a NightWing she'd seen before. The same one from the last vision, with the oddly colored eyes and white wings. She was humming happily to herself as she was painting a picture that included herself, two other NightWings, and a larger IceWing... But one of those NightWings looked...
"Bore me to sleep!"
Moonwatcher turned her head at the familiar voice, becoming momentarily distracted by the female NightWing in front of her. Giving one last glance, she walked towards the voice. Down the hallway, she entered a small cave... One that had Darkstalker and Clearsight in it.
Both of them were curled up into a nest, tangled in blankets together while a scroll spoke out loud. No doubt one of Darkstalker's enchantments.
But what amazed her the most, was how... Happy, Darkstalker looked. It was an expression that was pure and full of love. It made Moon wonder just how Darkstalker had gone to... the one she knew now, from this one. Had his magic and greed corrupted him so badly that he truly lost himself? It made Moonwatchers heart ache.
"What is going on in here?" A voice snarled in Moonwatcher's ear. Moon yelped and jumped several feet in the air, whirling around to come snout to snout with a very big, very angry IceWing. But he wasn't looking at her, and was instead looking at Darkstalker and Clearsight.
This was no doubt Darkstalkers father, Prince Arctic. If she looked at him closely... She could see that Arctic and Darkstalker shared the same eye shape.
Darkstalker jumped to his feet, his tail lashing behind him as Clearsight clutched the scroll with a terrified look on her face, muttering something under her breath.
"This is my room," Darkstalker snapped venemously. "You're not allowed in here."
Moon winced. He hadn't been lying when he said the the two had a lot of problems...
"Did you enchant the scroll the speak?" Arctic asked, his sky-blue eyes seeming to stare into Darkstalker's own soul.
"Yes," Darkstalker replied defiantely, raising his chin.
"So," Arctic exhaled a small cloud of frostbreath. Why did Moon get a cold shiver just watching that? "You're an animus after all."
"I guess I am."
Moon was distracted when Clearsight nervously crawled out of the bed, walking over to the scroll on the desk. She gasped. Darkstalker's scroll! There it was, with his hand-writing written messily towards the top. She was so transfixed by Clearsight taking the scroll and rolling it up into her arms that she didn't even listen to the argument between father and son. Poor Clearight got a faraway, distant look in her eyes; her wings were beginning to tremble. Was she having a vision?
She whimpered quietly, wrapping her wings around herself as she pressed talons against her forehead.
"What's wrong with her?"
Darkstalker was by Clearsight's side in a moment, gently rubbing smooth circles along her back.
"Are you alright?" he whispered. "What did you see?"
Grey-green eyes fluttered open... And stared straight up at Moonwatcher.
Moonwatcher was startled awake, wings shaking. She looked around, still expecting to be in Darkstalker's cave with Clearsight. But she wasn't, only the cold and wet one where she currently lived. It was dark, and rain still dripped through the ceiling. No doubt the storm was still peltering the ground outside.
Yet it was the position she was in that made her heart skip a few beats. Powerful arms had snaked around her at some point, with Darkstalker's midnight colored wings encasing her in a sort of blanket.
Darkstalker groaned softly, nuzzling his snout into the side of Moon's neck. Moon was pretty sure her heart was going a million miles an hour. When had he done this during the night? Yet she couldn't be angry at him, because the expression on his face was... So peaceful. No worries, nothing forced... Just Darkstalker.
"Moon," he sighed blissfully.
Moonwatcher's whole face grew warm, and she tried to ignore the butterflies that fluttered around in her chest.
Are you awake? her mind whispered, hoping he wasn't.
No response. Just slow breathing.
Thunder sang it's deep song off in the distance, the ground grumbling it's protest. Moonwatcher shook her head and tried to go back to sleep.
When she woke again she was alone. No thunder or rain, but there were still droplets of water falling from the ceiling every now and then. Grey light poured in from the crack as Moon got to her feet, wrinkling her snout as droplets of water landed on her. No doubt Darkstalker was out hunting once more.
He'd really filled out his form over the past few days. No doubt from his magic.
Besides being a little thinner than average, he looked nearly completely normal.
Moon made her ways down the hall, the tip of her tail flicking from side to side. Torchlight flickered a soft blue, casting dark shadows against the cave walls. Eventually she made it to the entryway, water droplets dripping from the ceiling. Darkstalker couldn't be angry with her if she was hungry.
While the rain had stopped, the skies were still a dark grey and the wind off in the distance made the trees dance.
He could complain to her later, she was going. She jumped off the ledge, free falling for a moment before letting her wings open to gently carry her on the wind. Moon debated heading back to the forest where their first hunt had taken place, but that was too far and there was no telling when the storm could pick up again. She needed to be careful.
Off in distance, she knew Jade Mountain awaited her. Darkstalker was gone... Surely she could sneak by and at least let her friends know she was okay? Moon's tail lashed indecisively.
I'm going.
Moon took flight into the air, wings pounding furiously against the air. She had to hurry as there was no telling when Darkstalker would return. This was practically suicide, but it was killing her inside not to see her friends. She was so lonely...
Her thoughts were interrupted when a shadow caught her eye. Below her within the trees. Black scales and a flash of silver.
Was it Darkstalker? Was he watching her from the shadows?
Darkstalker? she called out nervously. She hovered in the air for a moment, waiting for his response. Silence.
Darkstalker, is that you?
Moon held her breath. Then, in the very far back of her mind; a voice so soft she barely heard it.
Hello.
But it wasn't Darkstalker. His voice was a deep timbre that filled her mind like sweet music, while this was shy and quiet, and... She'd heard that voice before.
Tipping her wings, she glided to the ground; landing silently among the trees. Her eyes scanned her surroundings, hoping to catch a glimpse of the dragon that seemed so desperate to hide from her.
"Is anyone there?" Moon called.
Here.
The mindreader turned her head, seeing a dark shadow slipping further into the forest. Moon moved into a trot, trying to keep up with the dragon ahead. No matter what she did, she couldn't get close enough to get a good look. It couldn't have been Darkstalker... He was too bold, he preferred the straight forward approach rather than playing mind games.
This continued on for awhile. Moon eventually losing the others trail, sniffing for a scent yet finding nothing, before becoming frustrated and stopping before the shadow eventually appeared against and led her further into the forest.
Moonwatcher was growing tired of this. She couldn't keep wandering around! No doubt Darkstalker was back, and he was probably looking for her.
Fear seized up in her chest.
What if he goes after her friends?
Don't be afraid.
The voice again. Yet it was louder now, stronger. So achingly familiar and also foreign to her ears.
Moon moved into a clearing, gasping at the sight before her. There, by the water, sat a NightWing by a small stream. But...
Clearsight looked back at Moonwatcher, eyes bright and full of sorrow.
"Hello, Moon," she greeted gently.
This couldn't be happening. Moon shook her head, taking a hesitant step forward.
"Hello," Moon responded, unsure of how to feel. In her visions, Moon had noticed that she and Clearsight had shared a large resemblance, but didn't realize just how much. It was almost like they were a mirror, reflecting the other. The only difference she could see was the shade in scales. While Moons contained dark emeralds, Clearsight seemed to have iridescent indigo.
"I'm... Sure you have questions," Clearsight began, looking down at her talons.
"How are you here?" Moon blurted. "I thought you were-"
"Dead?" Clearsight finished. "I am..."
Moon went very still. Clearsight got to her feet, moving closer to her doppelganger.
"I'm not really here, Moon. I'm in your mind." A small, broken smile crossed her face. "I don't know if this is right... But, I think, when I gave Darkstalker the bracelet, he trapped a small part of my soul within the bracelet." Her wings dropped. "And when you touched the moonstones... That part of me now exists in you."
It made sense, now that she thought about it. The excruciating pain she suffered when she touched those stones. But a part of this frightened her. What did she know, what did she see? Would she always be there?
"Wait, wait, stop- it hurts when you think so fast."
"I'm sorry, I just," Moon sucked in a breath. "I don't know how to feel about this. This is a lot to take in."
"I understand. I'm not entirely sure what to make of this whole situation myself."
"So... What are we? To each other?" Moon asked, taking a seat.
"I don't know, to be honest," Clearsight replied. "I've tried figuring that out myself."
She looked so sad, so tired. Moon felt a tug in her chest like she was looking at a long lost sister. Gently, she extended a wing to rest across her wings; jumping when her wing completely phased through her.
"Sorry," Clearsight sighed. "I only have so much energy. It was hard enough to be able to manifest myself to speak to you like this."
"It's okay." Moon tucked her wing back at her side.
Violet eyes met emerald. "Moon, I need you to listen to me. Darkstalker... He's..." Her voice broke, and tears seemed to be forming in her eyes. "I know he's done some terrible things, I know he on a dark path, but please; save him. Please, Moonwatcher, I know there is good in him left. He can be pulled back to the light. But he needs guidance."
Clearsight tilted her head back to the sky, her eyes slipping closed as she did so. A small wince of pain rippled across her face.
"It's his magic. It needs to be destroyed."
"How? You can't just destroy it, and I doubt Darkstalker will be keen on giving me the bracelet."
Clearsight lowered her head, bringing a talon to her head. She swayed a bit and Moon reached out to catch her but Clearsight fell right through her.
"So tired," she whispered. She looked back to Moon. "You'll find a way, I know." Clearsight gasped in pain, her wings wrapping around herself. "I'm so sorry. I can't keep this form up any longer... I need... Rest..."
"Wait!" Moon cried as she jumped back onto her feet.
"Sorry," Clearsight breathed as her form faded into nothing; leaving Moon alone in the clearing... At least, not truly. Clearsight was with her. She would help. Maybe next time she could ask what happened and find a solution to steal Darkstalker's bracelet.
Moonwatcher jumped when she heard the brush rustle behind her.
"Who's there?" She called, prepared for fight or flight.
"Moon?"
A familiar SandWing with a scar across his snout stepped into the clearing, golden eyes bright and disbelieving.
"Qibli," Moon choked out as Qibli rushed to her, pulling Moonwatcher into his arms. His wings were around her in the next second as if to shield her from the world.
"Oh, pitvipers, I thought I'd never see you again," Qibli sighed as he nuzzled his face into her neck.
"Oh, Qibli, I'm glad you're okay," Moon whispered as tears formed in her eyes. He's alive, he's okay.
Qibli pulled away, looking down at her. "We were all so worried. You wouldn't believe all that's happened after you left. Jade Mountain... Moon, half of it caved in. All of the students got out okay, but it was still very bad. I mean, Queen Glory even came to examine the damage."
"Is Winter okay?" Moon asked.
Qibli's wings sagged a bit, but he kept a grin on his face. "Still as cold and bitter since I last saw him, besides being a little more frigid." He chuckled. "Ehe, get it?"
Moon giggled. For the first time in days, Moon could breathe a little easier. She'd genuinely missed Qibli.
The SandWing's expression softened as he gently pulled Moonwatcher's talons into his own. "Moon," he began gently. "Come back with me."
Her heart sank at his words.
"Qibli-"
"Moon, please. We'll protect you. He can't do this to you... Hold you as a prisoner." There were so many emotions in his eyes that Moon couldn't identify them. "We'll find a way to stop him. Forget the deal, come back to Jade Mountain, there has to be another alternative."
The offer was there... To return back to the mountain and be with her friends again. Queen Glory might know about Kinkajou, and she'd get to see the others... But what about Darkstalker? What would he do once he discovered she'd betrayed him? No, it was better to stay... Too much could go wrong could happen if she left now.
"I can't, Qibli. I made a deal and I plan to stick by it."
"Do you have anything? Any clue what his weakness could be?"
Her wings drooped. "No," she admitted sadly.
"Then come back. With all of us together, there is no doubt in my mind we'll be able to-"
"Be able to do what?"
The two dragons heads shot up at the other voice, Moon feeling her blood turn to ice in her veins as Darkstalker himself stood a few feet away.
How had she not heard him coming?
"Darkstalker, wait," Moon pleaded as Qibli moved to stand in front of her; raising his tail defensively as a deadly growl formed in his throat.
Silvery blue eyes moved from Qibli and back up to Moon. There was a look of hurt and betrayal on his face. "You planned on leaving the mountain? Leaving me?"
"No, it's not like that. Qibli just-"
"YOU." Darkstalker hissed, his massive black wings flaring as he reared back on two legs. His eyes were directly on Qibli.
Qibli lunged forward, and the two dragons charged each other. Moon screamed as the two bodies writhed against each other, gold against black, the sound of scales being torn and crimson liquid staining the ground beneath them.
"STOP!"
But the two continued. Darkstalker was unphased, his scales still perfect and shiny. Yet Qibli had large slashes across his shoulder, bite marks on his neck and throat, blood flowing profusely from the wounds. The two broke free for a split second before Darkstalker lashed his tail around, hitting Qibli directly against his jaw. A loud crack filled the air.
Qibli hit the ground hard; gasping for air. Darkstalker stalked forward, his eyes filled with murderous intent. Moon ran forward and threw herself over Qibli's bloody body.
"Moon," Darkstalker snarled, talons curling against the ground. "Move."
"No!" Moon yelled defiantly, looking up to meet his glare with her own. She got to her feet, wings flared to shield Qibli's body. "He's my friend... Can't you see they only care about me? They want to make sure I'm safe, Darkstalker."
Darkstalker's eyes narrowed into thin slits. "Moon," he breathed ever so softly, and Moon could feel that tug; that pull to obey him. To satisfy him. "Please move so I can teach this SandWing a lesson."
Moonwatcher felt her feet moving but forced her eyes closed.
Resist him, Clearsight's voice was faint in her mind.
She stayed her ground. "I will not move."
His eyes widened a fraction of an inch. "What?"
"I won't do it," she repeated. "You will not hurt them. Remember? Our deal?"
The growl Darkstalker released made a shiver run from her horns to the tip of her tail. He stared at her long and hard, a hint of the madness gleaming in his eyes. But after a moment he only chuckled, shaking off the whole incident as if nothing had happened.
"Their day will come." Darkstalker turned to leave, glancing back over his shoulder to look down at Qibli.
"Be grateful to your future Queen," Darkstalker said, silver eyes cold and full of malice. "Next time I may not be so merciful." With that, the large NightWing moved to the far end of the field, only stopping to look back at the pair. "Come, Moon. We should return home."
"Moon," Qibli groaned, forcing himself to his feet. There was a scratch over his eye that ran blood down the side of his face. "Don't go."
"I'm sorry, Qibli," Moonwatcher whispered, giving him a sad smile. "I promise I'll try to see you again. All of you."
He pulled her into a hug, and Moon wanted to lose herself in his embrace. She didn't want him to go, just as much as he didn't want her to leave. But she had no choice in the matter.
"Keep them safe," she breathed into Qibli's ear, holding him tightly.
"Don't let him control you," Qibli breathed back.
They gave each other one final squeeze before the pulled apart.
"Moonwatcher!" Darkstalker barked.
"Goodbye."
Moon turned to return to Darkstalkers' side, not daring to look back at Qibli to see the expression he might be wearing.
When they returned to the mountain, Darkstalker was livid. He paced back and forth his tail lashing and wings pressed tightly against his spine.
"Darkstalker, please just listen to me."
"Why should I?" he snapped, freezing in his pacing to look at her. "You planned to betray me. You were going to run off with him, go back to that mountain and try to find some way to kill me."
Heat rushed to her face and she glanced away. "He offered it to me, but I told him no."
"Oh, did you now?" he asked incredulously. "I suppose you weren't also telling him how much you want to take away my bracelet."
A growl, deep and loud as thumber rumbled from his chest as he walked towards her. Moon lifted her head high and met his eyes with just as much challenge. "I trust you, Moonwatcher." He stated simply. "Do not give me a reason to distrust you, or else that could be dangerous for your well-being."
"Darkstalker, you're losing your mind. Don't you see this plan you have is impossible? Do you really think Glory will just hand over the NightWings to you? Do you really think the price of your soul is worth magic?"
"What I do with my magic is none of your concern!" He Darkstalker yelled, the spines along his back flaring in rage. "I feel stronger than ever!" His giant, midnight colored wings extended at his words; silver scales glittering like the night skin inside them. Darkstalker dipped his head until his face was in Moon's.
"And you, nor Fathom, will ever be able to hurt me again, Clearsight!"
A soft gasp escaped from Moon at the name. Did you...?
Darkstalker's eyes widened. "I..."
Moon's mind touched his, and all his thoughts were suddenly jumbled and loud.
Why did I do that-
She's not-
Wanted to take away-
Kill you-
They lied to you, left you under the mountain-
Darkstalker roared, clutching his horns and turning away from Moon. Moonwatcher moved to reach out to him, but he jumped in the air and flew towards the skylight above.
"Darkstalker, wait!"
But he did not listen.
For two hours Moonwatcher waited for Darkstalker's return. She tried several times to reach out to him, but every time she would be met with a mental block. He had probably enchanted himself so she couldn't reach him.
But he'd called her Clearsight.
It was bound to happen eventually. But did he really only see her as Clearsight, his lost love? Or did he see her as Moon? Would he ever see her for who she really was?
Moon stared down at her talons. Maybe he hadn't even cared about her at all... Just because she looked like Clearsight.
That's a lie, she reminded herself. He knew you as Moon before he knew what you looked like. He's your... Friend.
She glanced up towards the skylight. It was cold tonight, and she was pretty sure she saw white snowflakes beginning to fall from the sky. No doubt Darkstalker must be cold out there... Wherever he was.
Deciding it was best that she find him, she few up through the skylight into the night. It was dark and cloudy, with speckles of snow falling on her snout. She sneezed as she began to circle the mountain top. Emerald eyes scanned the rocks, hoping to see his massive frame lounging somewhere.
Eventually, near the top, she found him.
He sat on a small flat ledge, a small pile of snow forming around his feet. She landed quietly behind him. He had never looked so... Broken.
His wings were laid on the ground behind him as if he were wearing a massive cloak; head hung low, with tears streaming down his face before dripping off his snout. Glimpses of moonlight peeked through the clouds, casting a silver light on his dark scales. And at that moment, Moon realized that Darkstalker's darkness was faded.
"I'm sorry," Darkstalker choked out in a broken voice. He didn't move.
"For what?" Moon asked as she moved forward, taking a seat beside him.
"For... Earlier. Everything." He sucked in a breath, his eyes falling closed. "You didn't deserve that."
"It's okay," she replied gently.
"No, it's not," he stated firmly, lifting his head a bit to look at her. His eyes searched her face before he lowered his head once more.
"You don't... You don't know how hard it is for me," he admitted, his talons curling against the snow. "To look at you. All I see is her in you. Her voice, the expressions you give... Even the way you act. It's all one giant tease and it's tormenting me."
Inhaling, he pulled himself up and looked down at her; tears still openly falling from his eyes. "Because when I see you, I see her, too. I want to just... Hold you, and give you everything I know you deserve."
Moon's heart was hammering almost painfully in her chest. What could she possibly say to him after a confession like that?
"Darkstalker, I..."
"Don't," he said, holding up a talon to cut her off. "I know the difference between the both of you... It's just... Hard." He swallowed down a lump that had been forming in his throat.
He looked to the sky, face pull of sorrow and pain. "I never told her how much I loved her," he choked out. And then he was crying.
Sobs that were filled with agony and loss filled the air, his shoulders shaking as tears openly fell from his face.
Moon's heart seemed to break at his confession. Slowly, gently she wrapped a wing around him and nuzzled her snout against his cheek. This didn't stop his cries of pain, but it did seem to help lessen the burden. She held him like that for a long time until he seemed to calm down a bit.
"She loved you too," Moon offered.
Darkstalker glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, looking away a moment later. He shifted from her a bit, but Moon kept her wing over his shoulders.
Lifting a talon in the air, he traced it in the air. Moon's eyes watched and... Bits of snow began to form into a small dragon. Not one, but two. The dragons played with one another, chasing and even flying when they wanted.
"Darkstalker..." Moon began warily.
"Please," Darkstalker replied quietly. "Just let me have this."
For several minutes the two dragons danced together in the snow. It was like Moon was watching a silent play. The two showing love and affection for each other, other times what seemed to be arguments and distrust. As his little story progressed, more dragons appeared. Two other NightWings, an IceWing, and a SeaWing.
Fathom.
It showed the three sitting around each other. All having fun, running across the snow.
The story progressed. One of the NightWings disappeared. The IceWing crumbled into a pile of snow. Clearsight, who she assumed, left Darkstalker's side and went to Fathom. A small ice shard was the bracelet. Darkstalker and Clearsight reunite. Clearsight slips the sharp onto Darkstalker's wrist as it appears he tried to grab her... And Darkstalker crumbles to the ground, with all the remaining dragons following suit.
"That was beautiful," Moon offered. She wasn't lying.
Darkstalker got to his feet, pulling his wings up to his sides as he walked to the ledge. "It's over, isn't it?" He asked, particularly at no one. "I'll never see them again. Clearsight, Whiteout... Mother..." Another shaky breath. "I wish I could just move on..."
Moon moved to stand at his side. She missed her mother, too. "You don't have to move on. You can still remember them, and love them. Make them proud, Darkstalker. Strive to be better than you were before."
He looked down at her, and Moon felt her heart flutter in her chest. This look was different than all the previous ones he'd given her before. Darkstalker placed his talons over hers, and Moon smiled at him.
"Let's go back inside."
A/N: HELLO YOU LOVELY FACED ANGELS, HOW ARE WE TODAY?
First off, I want to give a mighty thank you to all of you that have left reviews! It really helped me write when I was going through severe writers block. Seriously, it genuinely makes me happy that so many of you like this so far. Now, a lot of you sent me messages or left reviews of when I was going to update, and I shall say this: My life is very complicated. I have a fulltime job, I have bills to pay, and honestly, I spend a lot of my time on tumblr writing Reaper76 and stuff. (Yes, I am a HUGE Overwatch fan. Feel free to contact me for a battletag, I won't bite!)
But that doesn't meanI have forgotten about this. I hope to have the next chapter out by at least the end of next month or sooner. Who knows, if I get a large enough feedback on this chapter it might be Thursday. XD You never know with me.
Now I would like to give some shoutouts to some people who were really kind in their reviews, and answer a few questions :)
Vixcon - Thank you ;o;
ThaAnimeDragon - You're so sweet, lol, thanks again!
MystycDragon - THAT'S IT I WIN I CONVERTED A WINTERWATCHER WHOO (tbh though I am also Winterwatcher trash RIP)
DJKatt - In about two chapters you will love me... I think.
BrightMind - Your reviews made me cry rainbows omg you're too sweet
Zebracorn27 - JOIN THE DARKSIDE, WE HAVE DARKWATCHER AND IT'S LIT FAM
Darkstalker - Darkstalker please shouldn't you be ruling over the NightWings instead of pestering me with questions
To the the Guest - You come in my house. You insult my ship. Get oUT. In all seriousness though, if you do not like the ship, please do not leave anti-Darkwatcher comments. It already gets enough hate on DeviantART as it is. Just as a PSA, if this story DOES start to get hate, I will turn off guest comments.
Question: "Who's the mysterious dragon?" I'm guessing that is from Sahel's commission of one of my book covers I wanted. As for that, it shall remain a secret until the bitter end ;)
Anyway, goodbye lovlies! Until next update!