Title- Pin Your Wings

December Challenge- The Shitennou
Theme One- Image

In his dreams, Nephrite soared above in the open sky. The wind filtered through his gleaming feathers, lifting him higher and higher. He saw the world below with sharp eyes -- every facet of color and shape mesmerizing his mind. Blue mountains, grand and magnificent with snow caps, rose up to meet him, while fields of emerald and lakes as clear as glass flew by in a haze of brilliant colors. He turned his face towards the sun as it fell beneath the far mountains. Shades of gold, red and purple, gorgeous shades unlike he had ever seen, cast their light against the clouds. A strong warm wind pushed him towards the endless light, and he embraced it willingly.

Abruptly he felt the wind change and a shiver of cold air caused his wings to momentarily become unbalanced. He flapped a few times to gain control and felt a sickness take over him. The clouds
were beginning to move and shift, climbing to towering heights. They grew dark and malevolent and he could hear thunder being born in the belly of the beast. The wind carried a haunting whisper as the air grew colder and colder, freezing his lungs. Without warning lightning broke the sky, completely shattering whatever once peaceful world existed. In between the flashes he could see dark red eyes flashing and a sinister smiling swallowing the horizon with red angry flames.

Beneath him the ground erupted and angry liquid fire spilled onto the land, destroying everything it touched. For as far as his eyes could see the land became a blanket of fire as lakes boiled away, and the screams of animals and people accompanied the black, ugly smoke as it rose towards the heavens. The proud mountains bowed to this evil power, crumbling and cracking to mere shadows of their former glory. All the while he soared on the monstrous updrafts as the smoke entered his nostrils, and in his mouth he could taste the ash of a world coming undone.

Time passed, and even though his eyes could not tell how long for the bleak landscape never changed, the pulsing of his tired wings told him he could not go on for much longer. He glided over the dead landscape with hopeful green eyes, but there was no where to land, no where to go. Except one.

In the distance he could see a dark, spiraling tower. As he grew closer he could see the crystal parapets shimmer in the green lightning, and painfully he shifted himself in its direction. The tower offered relief, safety, and peace from his sufferings. As he approached however, his hope slowly melted to hesitation. This place was evil, embracing the dead world all around it. It called out to him seductively, the voices pulling on his wings like strong gusts of wind.

He knew if he landed on its balustrade he would become a part of it, and it would never let him go. If he accepted its offer, he would be bound to it forever. But he was so tired and as he viewed the deadly land beneath him, he knew that is was only a matter of time before the fire would claim him, or desperation would make him chose to give up his freedom. His heart cried out to fight the betrayal and end his life, but his body and soul pleaded for release.

Just then the dark clouds broke and the sun light poured over his tired wings. The golden light was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, and filled his heart with such warmth. He turned from the dark tower as the whispering voices protested angrily, trying to hold onto his mind with all their strength. He followed the light, letting it bathe him in purifying waves. His weakness faded, and the doubt cleared from his mind. He could not give up, there was still hope. He climbed higher and higher, soaring straight up into the sky. The wind tried to hold him back, but hope pushed him harder. He broke free of the dark clouds and all the world became a shining canvas of pure, white light.

Nephrite cried out, opening his eyes as the spell was finally broken. A dark cell met his eyes as fire cast frightening shadows against the rock walls. He pulled on his arms, and the heavy chains clanked loudly, ringing in his ears. Slowly the spell's effect fell from his mind, leaving him with the horror of reality. She stepped out of the dark, her red hair cast aglow by the light. He felt himself sick at her presence, and pulled on his chains, trying to get at her. He wanted nothing more than to throttle this woman before him, this monster that destroyed everything he had ever known. He knew not where his friends were, but could only guess that she was treating them the same as he. He could only hope that Endymion had escaped, that somewhere there was still hope.

"Why do you still fight?" she called out. "Aren't you tired?"

"You won't win," he swore naively. She only smirked.

"I have already won, General. This world was begging to be overtaken, and it practically opened its arms to the night. Let it embrace you."

"No! Endymion will stop you!"

"Will he now?" she chuckled, and held out her hand to the shadows. The darkness relented a hand, and then an arm, and all at once the prince of the Earth appeared from the black. Nephrite gasped, barely recognizing the look in his eyes. He took the hand of the evil queen, and kissed it theatrically. Nephrite's heart shattered in his chest, the pieces shooting out to burn and prick his chest. There was no hope -- What did he have to fight for now?

"You will become mine too, just as your friends have, just as your prince has." She walked to his side and pulled something from the fire. The hot poker burned a bright orange, and lit the fear in his eyes.

"It is only a matter of time before I clip your wings. You will never fly again," she promised, and shoved the poker into his side.