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DARKSTALKER
When Clearsight had told him that most of what they were going to talk about would be good, Darkstalker had his doubts. She was just telling him that to make him feel better, right? How 'good' could any of the news be?
And the news did somewhat corroborate his doubts. Clearsight had spent years living a wonderful life, only to have it flushed away by a sudden turn for the worse. It was one of the most heartbreaking things he'd ever had to learn.
She had explained everything, both with her voice and her mind. It took hours to cover all the important things that had happened in the years she'd erased, and she ended up staying long after his parents had returned from work.
Darkstalker often probed Clearsight for more information during their discussion. He wanted to know about everything, so he didn't hesitate to ask question after question. But he forced himself to hold his tongue whenever the dragonets were mentioned. Curious as he was to learn more about Solstice and Remedy, he realized how much Clearsight struggled to keep herself composed whenever she mentioned them.
She told him a few things about them. They hatched when Clearsight was only eight years old. They were adventurous and troublemaking, but still incredibly sweet. And according to her, Darkstalker was an amazing father.
That was all Darkstalker needed to know, but there was one question that he couldn't hold back. "Do you think you'll want to have any again?"
"Of course," Clearsight said, her voice quiet and fragile. "What kind of a timeline would this be if I didn't give some new dragonets the chance to live? But … not for a while. I don't even want to think about new hatchlings right now."
Neither did Darkstalker. He was still a dragonet himself, after all. The futures he saw where he was a father were nice to visit, but they also ever-so-slightly terrified him.
It wasn't until dinner time that Clearsight had finally disclosed everything to Darkstalker. His mom knocked on his door and asked if Clearsight would be staying for dinner. Clearsight said yes, and Darkstalker would have loved to spend more time with her. But he had the feeling Clearsight didn't actually mean that.
"You know, Clearsight, your mom and dad don't know that I'm your boyfriend yet," Darkstalker reminded her. "Do they know where you are?"
Clearsight's wings sagged. "Oh moons, you're right. I need to stop worrying them like this." Ah, that compassionate fear in her voice — there was the Clearsight that Darkstalker had always known. It was nice to hear that Clearsight for a change.
That was perhaps the worst part of all this. The ill-fated life that Clearsight had recalled to him was hard to hear, but what was harder was the fact that Darkstalker had now missed a huge part of Clearsight's life. Instead of being able to live that life with her, he now had to pick up where the previous version of Darkstalker had left off. The sweet, innocent Clearsight that he had known yesterday was still there, but she was buried under years of experience and trauma that Darkstalker himself had never gotten to witness with her.
And so, he remained doubtful of Clearsight's promise that most of what they had talked about was good. He felt a little better knowing the truth, but he would have felt better still if it weren't true.
That changed over the next few days, though. Clearsight giving him permission to look into her mind turned out to be an incredible gift. He found himself deeply immersed in her thoughts whenever she was around. He was absolutely fascinated by how effortlessly she was able to use her powers. Even with small things, like where in the forest they should go for their next date, she could simply pause for a second, look ahead, compare the various futures, and decide which option was best. It was absolutely amazing, and Darkstalker was able to see all of it!
He also discovered that Clearsight thought about him constantly. She was always thinking of ways to spend time with him, to make him smile. And when she wasn't doing that, she was reflecting on pleasant memories from her past, like when she told her parents for the first time about all the different ways in which Darkstalker was just the most wonderful dragon.
He thought that he'd fallen in love with Clearsight the moment that he first saw her in his visions. But bearing witness to her inner thoughts for the first time had his heart swimming with those fresh new feelings all over again.
As the days passed, Clearsight started to settle into her old life once again. Her four-year-old self with all of its instincts and present-day problems began to take the place of the hardened dragon that had come back from an erased future. There were still moments where memories of Solstice and Remedy pulled her back to her past life and crippled her emotionally. But Darkstalker was always able to tell when those moments were happening, and he always pulled her back into the present when they did.
Perhaps the biggest advantage to learning about everything that Clearsight had gone through was that he learned about Fathom. Who would have guessed that he'd end up befriending an animus dragon from the Kingdom of the Sea? Now that he knew their destinies were intertwined, Darkstalker couldn't wait to meet him.
And they'd be meeting each other tomorrow!
Clearsight wouldn't be able to join Darkstalker at the welcoming party, since she'd be busy rescuing scavengers with Listener at the school. But this party was apparently of vital importance, so Clearsight insisted that he come over to her house to make preparations.
She suggested that Darkstalker enchant something to protect himself. Apparently Indigo had a decent chance of threatening him at knifepoint, and apparently in some of those futures, she actually killed him. Darkstalker spited Indigo in his head for trying to do something like that, but he agreed to the suggestion. Dying would not be on his agenda for a long time.
She also brought attention to the fact that Fathom and Indigo would want him to stop using his powers entirely, and that securing a friendship with them would take some time if they weren't confident that he was being careful with his powers.
On the other talon, he couldn't make Fathom and Indigo too confident. If he did, then they'd consider their job at the Night Kingdom finished and return to the Kingdom of the Sea.
Darkstalker had a lot to think about. For the first time in a while, he found himself trying to use his own future sight in order to assess his plan of action. As usual, he couldn't isolate any details of the futures he saw, but his powers did give him one key piece of information that Clearsight hadn't been able to glean: Fathom and Indigo were going to be terrified.
This made Indigo's apparent attempt to kill him much more forgivable. It also gave Darkstalker an avenue to approach the two SeaWings — a way to make himself appear as an ally … and to make Queen Vigilance appear as an enemy.
He made sure he was ready for the party early. He equipped his protective earring that made his scales hard as diamond, and flew with his parents to the palace.
His stomach was bubbling with excitement when he stepped through the gates. Never before had he been so happy to be at the palace. Now all he needed to do was wait to be introduced to the SeaWings.
Queen Vigilance greeted them inside shortly after they arrived. The grand hall was decorated with SeaWing colors and ornamentations, and various kinds of sushi were being served as refreshments.
Darkstalker waited patiently as Vigilance made small talk with his parents. Fortunately for him, the queen liked to let everyone else do all the talking, and often let moments of silence in the conversation linger so that other dragons would fill them. One of those moments eventually came, and Darkstalker jumped at the opportunity.
"Your Majesty, I heard that I would be meeting someone here at this party," he said. "Prince Fathom of the Kingdom of the Sea, I believe?"
"Yes, that's right," Vigilance answered, looking bored. "Follow me. They're over this way."
She followed Darkstalker to a roped off corner of the party where soft drinks were being served, and immediately saw the four SeaWing guests. They were having a conversation with a NightWing councilor, who appeared to be doing most of the talking. When Vigilance arrived, she cleared her throat loudly enough to catch the councilor's attention and prompt her to distance herself from the SeaWings.
"Prince Fathom," Vigilance said, nodding to green SeaWing, the only SeaWing of the four who wasn't wielding some sort of weapon. "This is Darkstalker."
Darkstalker stepped forward. Prince Fathom flinched, shaking like a leaf, and the dragon to his side gave him a menacing squint. "It's wonderful to meet you, Prince Fathom," Darkstalker said, giving them his warmest smile.
Fathom couldn't immediately respond. Fear gripped at his neck, forcing him to hold his tongue. That's him, he thought. That's the other animus. "Pleased to meet you too," he finally said, barely whispering. When he realized how he sounded, he cleared his throat and raised his voice. "This — these are my guards, Indigo, and … Wharf and Lionfish."
Darkstalker would have loved to get them away from this party, but that was starting to seem like a bad idea. They were obviously afraid of him too, so it was doubtful that Darkstalker would be able to ease their fears by taking them somewhere where he'd be alone with them. Not to mention that Indigo would have an opportunity to try to kill him if he did: he could see that pretty clearly with his future sight.
Queen Vigilance left without another word, tending to the other guests at the party. Pleased to have her gone, Darkstalker looked over his shoulder to see if any other NightWings were within hearing range. It seemed safe.
Darkstalker faced Fathom once more and leaned forward a little. "I'm so sorry that the queen is torturing you like this," he said quietly.
Fathom swallowed, only growing more nervous. "What do you mean?"
"I mean that this party is exactly like the party you faced when Albatross murdered your family," Darkstalker said, snarling a little bit. "Either Queen Vigilance didn't do her homework, or she is actively trying to traumatize you. Either way, I find this party deeply offensive. If you want to get out of here, let me know. I'll whisk up some excuse to the queen and take you away from all this."
Yes, please, get me out of here, Fathom thought.
"Thanks, but we're staying here," Indigo said.
Or not.
Darkstalker shrugged. "Very well, but don't hesitate if you change your mind at any point. You shouldn't feel like the queen is suffocating you. You deserve to be happy while you're here."
That's not true, Fathom thought. I'm not even sure if I deserve to be alive. Then he started thinking about what would happen to Indigo if his soul disintegrated, just like Albatross' did.
It was at that moment where Darkstalker understood exactly why he was destined to become such good friends with Fathom. Here was a miserable dragon who had witnessed something so unspeakably terrible that it damaged him to his core. He was so afraid. Afraid that if he dared to be happy, even for a second, then he'd snap and destroy everyone and everything that still mattered to him.
Darkstalker wanted to help him so badly. He wanted to raise Fathom from the pits of despair, to show him that he didn't have to spend every waking hour punishing himself for things he was never going to do.
"You don't seem to like the queen very much," Indigo said, leery-eyed.
"No, no, no, I have no anger towards the queen herself," Darkstalker said, tasting the bitterness of that lie. "But I don't like it when dragons act dishonorably to honorable dragons."
As much as he wanted to actually tell them about how terrible Vigilance was, he knew that that wouldn't do him any good. He didn't want to give them the impression that he was on the verge of murdering Queen Vigilance. Not yet, at least.
"Listen," he said, reaching for a glass of punch on a table beside him. "You should know that I'm a seer in addition to being an animus dragon. I've known about you for some time now. I've been anticipating your arrival, because I foresee us all becoming very good friends."
"We're not here to become friends with you," Indigo said. "We're here to make sure you don't end up like Albatross."
"W-we've been sent here to try and warn you," Fathom added. "I know you might think that your soul is safe, but I promise you that it's not. My great uncle was a really good dragon before his soul was destroyed by his magic. If it destroyed his soul, then it can destroy yours. You have to stop. Completely."
Darkstalker sighed. "I'm aware of the damage that my magic can do to my soul," he said. "Trust me, I'm painfully aware of it. My father is an animus, and I've seen with my own eyes the damage that his magic did to him. But I can't just stop using my powers. Even if I stopped using it for myself, I may end up in a situation where I have to use magic to save the life of someone I love. Or I might be ordered by the queen to cast a spell for her."
"We were told that the queen thinks you're using your magic recklessly as well," Indigo said.
"The queen isn't paying as much attention to me as she would have you believe. And I wouldn't call myself reckless. I take all necessary precautions with every spell I make." Darkstalker took a drink from his glass of punch. "But I'll admit that I may have gotten a little ambitious when I started exploring my powers. I understand how that could frighten you."
He still doesn't get it, Fathom thought, his chest collapsing with worry. He doesn't realize what he could become.
This dragon is too dangerous, Indigo thought. I need to kill him before he hurts Fathom.
Darkstalker exhaled. Obviously Indigo didn't realize that he was a mind-reader.
"Okay, okay. Look, I think we can help each other out. I need to learn how to make better use of my magic—"
"—You need to learn how to stop using your magic," Indigo corrected.
"And you need to learn how to enjoy life again." He made sure he was looking at both of them when he said that.
Indigo's mind flared with suspicion. "What makes you say that? Don't act like you know us."
"I know you better than you think. Remember, I'm a seer. I can also read your minds. Any NightWing with silver scales next to their eyes has that power."
As if summoning a defense mechanism, both Fathom and Indigo's minds went blank. They looked at each other, quietly wondering now if they'd let slip any thoughts that they weren't meant to share. Indigo was just now realizing that he probably heard what she'd thought about killing him.
"I didn't hear anything from your minds that I wasn't expecting to hear," Darkstalker said. "But it has helped me understand the two of you a bit better. Prince Fathom, you went through something terrible. You've been damaged and hurt, and the Kingdom of the Sea didn't help you when you needed it."
"I don't need help," Fathom insisted. "The Kingdom of the Sea kept me alive, which is more than I deserve."
Don't say that, Fathom! Indigo screamed in her mind.
Darkstalker said it for her. "Don't say that, Fathom. Of course you deserve to be alive. I know I'm not an expert with animus magic, but I can tell you with confidence that an animus who's self-loathing and terrified is much more dangerous than an animus who loves his life and doesn't want to change it."
I can agree with that, Indigo thought, and for a short-lived moment Darkstalker caught from her mind a sense of companionship towards him.
"I'll make you a proposition," Darkstalker continued. "I can't give you my word that I'll give up magic entirely. But if you promise to stay here and be my friend, I'll promise to avoid using my magic while you're here."
Fathom lifted his eyes. "Really?"
"Really." Darkstalker beamed at him. "But be sure to uphold your end of the promise. I'll be stopping by to see you from time to time."
Darkstalker was just relieved to see Fathom stop being so nervous for a change. "As long as you're not using your magic, I'm okay with that."
This was going to be the beginning of a long and wonderful friendship, he just knew it. "Now," Darkstalker said, "have you reconsidered my offer to get you away from this party? There are several parts of the Great Diamond around here that I'd like to show you."
Another heap of Fathom's nerves started to wash away. "I think I'd like that, thank you."
Darkstalker brought the SeaWings out from the roped up area, then found the queen. He asked her permission to give them a tour of the area, and she reluctantly agreed, waving them to the exit.
As he led them out, he looked back and waited for Fathom to walk up beside him. He smiled, seeing already the futures where they spent long hours together having all sorts of fun. There was an adventurous spirit hiding deep within that jaded dragon. It just needed to be beckoned back out.
Fathom averted` his eyes from Darkstalker's, but he smiled back. It was unclear what exactly he was thinking, but it was his first moment of true happiness in years, and that was all that mattered.
A/N: I hope this chapter didn't feel too superfluous. It's a pretty close match to the analogous chapter in the original book, and it's also a little similar to what happened in chapter 8 of this story. But it didn't feel right to skip this scene either. It seemed like a good opportunity to set the direction of Darkstalker's ambitions, and to lay the foundations for what his mindset would be within this timeline.
Merry Christmas, everyone! And hopefully in the next chapter, I'll be wishing you a happy new year in the author's note as well.
