Hey, guys. Like I said in the new chapter update of The Ask and the Answer, I'm so sorry I haven't updated in such a while...I had almost completely forgotten about updating...! (So ashamed of myself...:'() So, here's the newest chapter you've been waiting for! Happy reading!

Chapter Seven: Into the Past

Marina awoke in a new world. It was exactly as it was before, before Shade was gone, and yet, it seemed different, strangely different. Everything seemed changed, distorted, somehow. Marina wondered why.

She closed her eyes and listened to the chatter of the birds high in the trees, hiding behind branches that spanned out in fresh leaves, and the constant whir of insect's wings swirling around her in circles. Usually, it made her happy to hear the sound of flittering, buzzing wings because it told her that a meal was in the air (literally) but now, it just seemed a nuisance, because she was straining to hear something else.

There was a sound; she wasn't exactly sure what it was, but there was something that seemed, missing. It was one of those sounds you hear every day that it seems so natural, like breathing, that it seems to fade in with your surroundings, and yet you know exactly when it isn't there. But what could it be?

Marina shook her head and sailed towards her roost, deciding she'll eventually figure it out. It was no big deal. Right?

She dived through the small knothole and comfortably settled on a ledge inside, folding her wings and flipped upside down. She breathed in the damp musky scent of the old oak's bark that was probably teeming with large beetles. But for some reason, she wasn't hungry, and for the first time in her life, the thought of bugs disgusted her.

Slowly recovering from her sudden thought, Marina looked around and nearly toppled over when she saw another female bat in her roost. Her wings were long, muscular and her fur was thicker and brighter than a Silverwing's. She had to be a Brightwing. Like herself?

The bat turned around and Marina had to freeze in her spot to keep from shaking in fear. The female bat had shell-shaped ears, dark, shining eyes and an elegant snout. It was a Brightwing like her. It was her.

But how? How could this be? Marina then realized she had been so focused on seeing Shade again, she'd forgotten to even look at herself.

Air. Invisible. Immaterial. Nothing. Where were her wings…? Where were her toes, claws…? Marina flew over a softly churning brook and she couldn't believe her eyes.

Where was…she…?

She had disappeared altogether.

The other Marina appeared unaware of her, and that frightened Marina. But then she thought carefully. If she herself couldn't see her body, then how would anybody else be able to?

Marina then realized another detail. The bat wasn't moving. It was as if she was frozen in her spot, like she was waiting for something to happen.

She flew swiftly and rammed right into her, but instead of getting knocked backwards from the impact, she just got sucked straight in.

The other Marina's eyes flashed suddenly, like she was brought back to life. She shook her head, getting the dust out of her shell shaped ears. She stretched her wings, and smiled as she breathed in the damp air of her roost. She hadn't moved in such a long time.

"Who are you? How did you wake me up?" The other Marina asked.

Marina found herself unable to speak, only able to communicate through her thoughts.

I am your spirit. I have entered your body and now you can move, see, breathe again. I came here for a special purpose.

"And what purpose is that?"

Your mate Shade is going to die. I have come to help you stop that.

Marina stiffened, unsure whether it was from fear or annoyance.

"H-How d-do you kn-know…?"

Not only did it bother the other Marina that her spirit appeared to know more than she did, but Shade dying frightened her so.

I was in the present and I travelled to the past. You are from the past, but it can become quite confusing. If you consider now as the present, you may say I came from the future. Either way, you must do as I say to save Shade. There is no other way.

The other Marina nodded slowly, still rather unsure.

"What do I do?"

When Shade enters this roost and tells you that he wants to go save Griffin, you must plead to go with him. That's the only way you can make sure he doesn't die. Or if he does, at least you both die together, in peace.

"But, I don't know if I can do this…"

Then let me do the talking. Tell your mind to keep your actual voice shut while I take over. Don't worry. It shouldn't take long.

"B-but, can you act like...me…?"

You're such a silly idiot, Marina. I'm your spirit. I am you.

"O-okay…whatever you say…"

At the exact moment, Shade dove into the knot hole and smiled as he saw Marina. Marina's spirit gathered up all her guts and decided that she'd make the first move-

"Hey, Marina. Sorry I came so late…I was in a little…you know…trouble…"

Marina shook her head and laughed.

"It's okay, Shade, just promise me you won't do any more dangerous things…please…I wouldn't be able to live with myself if…if…if you…died…"

Tears welled up in Marina's eyes and she wrapped her wings around Shade, who was suddenly bewildered at her unnatural surge of unexpected emotions. He whispered to her, quiet comforting words, and hugged her as well, for a very long time.

He had never felt so warm in such a long time.

He didn't want to be the one to let go.

But Marina wouldn't let go of him until he stopped, so slowly and reluctantly, he pulled away.

"Actually, Marina, I'm sorry to break it to you, but I was thinking…

"No, Shade! Don't go rescuing Griffin; it's too dangerous! Stay with me. Please,"

Marina hung her head and kept her eyes shut, waiting for Shade to respond.

Shade sighed in frustration.

"Come on, Marina, you're making me choose between you and our son? You know, I'd never be able to decide! Please, don't you want to see our Griffin again? Won't it get lonely, just the two of us…?"

"We can never be alone if we're together. Please, stay," Marina pleaded, in vain. She was too afraid to look him in the eye.

"Look, Marina, I want to stay with you but as Griffin's father, I must do something about this-

"Then take me with you. If we die we die together. Does that sound fair…?"

Marina's voice trembled, weak, scared.

"Marina it's too-

"Don't talk to me like that, Shade! Don't tell me it's too dangerous! Do you truly know what is dangerous? If I lose you and decide not to live after that…! What kind of mother would that make me…? …Do you really want Griffin to go through that kind of pain…?"

She spoke the last sentence quietly; to make sure it would take effect.

She heard a satisfying sigh as Shade gave in. Perfect.

"Fine. But you must do as I say, or neither of us will make it out alive, got it?"

Marina smiled warmly.

"Yes, of course,"

Shade huffed in frustration and shook his head.

"Marina, I don't know what has gotten into you, but you aren't acting like yourself…"

She bit her lip uneasily and cocked her head to the side.

"Yes, I know, but you know what…? I can't help thinking that what lies ahead of us will be amazing, that everything will be okay in the end,"

Shade glanced at her and smirked, surprised at himself for doing that.

"I sure hope you're right. Otherwise, we're doomed,"

Marina laughed her tinkly laugh, like the sound of tiny silver bells, which made Shade smile at that memory, a long time ago.

"Come on, Marina. We've got no more time to waste,"

"I'm right behind you!"

And with that the two bats headed underground, into the deep and dangerous Underworld, unprepared for what twists and turns that lie ahead of them.

So, did the ending of that chap sound a bit too optimistic...? Sorry...I haven't updated in such a while my style is starting to fade...But no worries, I'll probably be back to my normal self after a few days and a good night's sleep (I haven't slept too well for the past to days, so I'm going kind of crazy...:/)

Anyways, see you later! ;)