A Brighter Future Ahead

AN: I don't have much to say up front besides this: Spring Break for me isn't this week like I thought it was. It's actually next week. Although, I have started on a new Perspectives that I had planned. I want to finish that before I start on the next chapter of Dragons Change.

Second: In case you get confused at the beginning of this chapter. I meant for it to be like one of those scenes in movies where there's a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other signifying both sides of the person's conscience. Just without the little devil and angel.

Disclaimer: I do not own Wings of Fire. My OCs Copperhead and Cobra belong to me.

Darkstalker:

I should have just killed her, he thought as he stalked back towards the Queen's Pavilion. It would have been easier.

But would it have been right? He argued with himself.

Who cares about right or wrong!? We're the most powerful dragon on Pyrrhia! We should be taking what we want, not bowing to a Rainwing of all dragons! The first voice had a point. Why should Anaconda hold sway over him? He may not be able to use his magic against her, but he had no qualms about making things…bloody.

Remember why we're suffering through this degradation in the first place, the second voice fired back. Clearsight believed in us enough to give us a second chance. We should at least try to prove her right. And Fathom would never have forgiven us.

That…is a good point, Darkstalker thought to himself.

Oh don't tell me you're going soft, the first voice came back with a derisive tone. Did you forget the feeling of having an entire tribe of dragons fear you? Who needs friends when you can have power?

I don't need them, he argued back.

Of course not, the second voice reasoned. But you do want them. Why else would you have spared that annoying Seawing's life? I'll tell you a secret if you want.

Alright, humor me. What secret? Darkstalker challenged the second voice.

You put up with her in order to make Fathom happy. You even told him as much. Why did you do that, though? Well, here's why: You want Indigo to trust you. You want her to be your friend…but you don't know how without simply enchanting her. Darkstalker could pretty much hear the smugness in the second voice.

…That's ridiculous. I don't care if she is my friend or not. Darkstalker argued back.

Then perhaps something more…intimate, the first voice said with a sensual tone. We heard your filthy thoughts when she was helpless beneath you. We felt your enjoyment when she squirmed under your gaze.

Darkstalker growled and shook his head to silence the voices. They were becoming a constant annoyance—one he couldn't escape. He only heard them when he was sufficiently angry…for now.

Hearing voices is never a good sign, especially for animus dragons. I wonder if it has anything to do with my powers increasing in strength? For indeed, since burning his scroll, he had noticed his powers becoming more potent—almost as if they were evolving. No one else needs to know about it, though. Knowledge can be power, too.

With his internal dilemma figured out, he strode up to the guards outside of the Queen's door. "She's expecting you," the young male on the left said. "Go on in."

Darkstalker nodded. "While I appreciate you leaving my son unharmed, you did not do as I asked," the Queen turned around with a neutral expression, though Darkstalker could easily tell how displeased she was. "May I ask why?"

"I can't kill her," he said simply.

"Can't or won't," she challenged. "I would think hard before answering, Nightwing. And be glad I am giving you a chance to explain yourself. If you were anyone else, you would already be dead."

He let out a thoughtful, "hmm," before answering. "I am giving us both another option. You don't want your daughter dead, no matter what you say. What you need, however, is for your position as Queen to be secure from a future challenge."

Anaconda's expression shifted to one of intrigue, "And what are you suggesting?"

"You could exile her, for one. Otherwise, I could enchant her to be more…agreeable to you and your rule." Darkstalker sat patiently as she thought before she nodded.

"Do what you think is best but do not come back here unless you have succeeded. I will not be as understanding next time, understood?" Darkstalker grit his teeth in annoyance. Almost as if she understood his plight, Anaconda continued before he turned to leave. "As I said before, Darkstalker, I respect you. Do not mistake your current situation as something lower than it is. Once you do this for me, you and Fathom will be granted full citizenship in my Kingdom along with your partners. You will have as normal of a life as possible considering your situation. I don't want us to be enemies. Understand that, if nothing else."

He left without another word when she motioned for him to go. Perhaps, this wouldn't be so bad after all.

Meanwhile, with Copperhead:

He had spent quite awhile searching for Cobra, and he finally found her near the village's south border. "Cobra, wait!"

She stopped, momentarily surprised, before she sneered at him, "Why are you following me?" She turned to him in an aggressive stance and he stopped several paces from her.

He looked at her with sadness, "I don't know what I ever did to make you hate me, Cobra, but whatever it is doesn't matter right now. Mother just hired Darkstalker to kill you."

She flinched in surprise before composing herself and narrowing her eyes at him in suspicion. "Then why are you telling me? I thought she could do no wrong," she mocked him. "Isn't that why you're the favorite? Because you think she's infallible?"

"This has nothing to do with me!" he challenged. "Your life is in danger, Cobra!"

"You didn't answer my question," she pointed out. "Why tell me? Why not let your new outsider pal kill me?"

Copperhead took a deep breath to steady himself. How was he supposed to get through her pride and stubbornness? How could he make her understand? He opened eyes he hadn't realized he had closed. "What did you say to me on my third hatch-day?"

Her expression softened ever-so-slightly, but she shook her head, "I fail to see how that is relevant."

"What did you say!" he yelled at her.

She sighed as the tension in her muscles dissipated and she slumped in defeat. "I said that I would do anything to keep you safe," she whispered.

Copperhead nodded. "Because…" he pressed.

She looked at him, "Copper…" she tried to plea but sighed once more when his gaze never wavered. "Because you are my brother…and I love you."

He nodded, his emotions beginning to affect him, "And what did I say?" he whispered.

"That I will forever be your favorite sister…no matter what," she shook her head in disbelief. "I can't believe you remembered that."

He smiled. "So did you. Which means it had to mean something to the both of us."

"Yeah," she agreed. "I guess it did." She paused for a moment, "What do you want me to do?"

AN: I hope you enjoyed it. Tell me what you thought. Please?

Until Next Time

AdmiralCole22