And here we are! The finale in the three part climax of the first story arc. There will be two more after this to conclude the first arc. So let me know with a review whether you want to see Jade Academy two (it's basically ten more chapters)! Also, Storm Warrior won the last challenge, but they just wanted bragging rights. Next challenge will be in chapter nine. Once again, let me know if you want to see a second arc! Now...enjoy Snowfall in the Dark.
Point of view is Moon for this one!
*Clears throat* … I DON'T OWN WINGS OF FIRE!
"I don't know how, but he's still breathing." said the doctor, examining the limp form that was Winter's.
Moon shuddered, and lifted her head, "You mean he's gonna be okay?"
"He might be, we'll have to inspect this poison a bit more, first." he said as he injected a needle into his puncture wound.
Moon and the others were surrounding Winter's hospital bed, seeing his beaten, broken form. It was so hard to imagine that the kind, slightly pompous boy she...didn't know how to word the feeling would look like this.
"Winter…" Moon sobbed, and broke down crying again.
The others looked on solemnly at the two of them, and after moments which felt like centuries, Qibli spoke up.
"Winter's strong, if he's the person I think he is...he won't give up so easily."
"I hope…" he thought afterward.
Moon glanced over at him, and saw Carnelian put her head on his shoulder,
"I hope you're right…" she whispered.
Turtle and Umber looked stony faced while looking at him, while Kinkajou looked like Moon felt, like the world was falling apart.
"That Scarlet is so evil!" Kinkajou screamed, tears streaming down her face.
No one said anything...words weren't needed.
"I'm done, I'll go inspect it now, I'll be right back." the doctor said, and left the room, leaving them in silence.
It was a few hours later, the sun was fully risen, none of them had gotten any sleep, and the doctor still hadn't returned. Finally, Moon worked up the courage to say something she needed to say,
"This is all my fault!" she cried, getting shocked looks from the others, "If I didn't have these stupid mind reading abilities, none of this would have ever happened!"
Turtle stood up, looking stern, and said quietly but firmly,
"Moon, this is not your fault, you can't change the way you were born, and what gifts you have. This Scarlet woman is the one to blame, and honestly, she deserves what happened to her."
They hadn't seen Scarlet come out of the tunnel when Winter did with the rush of water. Luckily Umber caught him to prevent too much damage.
Turtle's phone later said that she wasn't found in the tunnel, but they couldn't find the secret room they kept mentioning...Moo pen thought it caved in with the water.
Scarlet was gone, and that was bittersweet. She didn't have to pay for her crimes, and she died with satisfaction, knowing that she had done something terrible in return for her not getting what she wanted.
The door flew open, and the doctor was there, beaming.
"You're friends going to live," he said, "the poison was one that his body could fight against. It's supposed to freeze your body, but he grew up in the tundra, so he could fight that."
"Are you serious?" Kinkajou cried, a different kind of tear running down her face, "He's going to be okay?"
"Yes. But there might be...side effects."
"If he lives," Moon said, determined, "that's all that matters."
It was a week after Winter had been hospitalized, and he was waking up. Moon was right there by his side. The others had gone back to school, but Moon was exempt, for going through a traumatic expirience.
He stirred, and slowly opened his eyes, to see Moon's smiling face, about as happy as...well...nothing could compare.
"M-M-Moon?" Winter said weakly.
"Winter, it's me. You're safe, and you're a hero." Moon said, crying just like Kinkajou had a week ago.
"I did it? Everyone's safe?"
"Yes...and Scarlet's never going to hurt anyone ever again, she'll leave us alone, and we're safe."
Winter laughed in a small voice, and said,
"That's great, because when I'm better...I have something to tell you."
"I'll be waiting Winter, I'll be waiting."
She didn't even have to read his thoughts, they matched exactly what he said. She would have to tell him eventually, but for now, she'd let him sleep.
It was two days after Winter had regained consciousness, and he was making a fast recovery. By the first afternoon, he could walk again.
Moon, Qibli, Umber, Turtle, Kinkajou, and Carnelian were in math class with Sunny, going over how to find the volume of a sphere by working backwards.
This was the last period of the day, and it was ten minutes until the bell rang.
Five minutes left. They had just finished taking notes, and Sunny was passing out a homework sheet with some problems relating to what they had learned.
"Alright, now I know you all want to see Winter, but be gentle, okay?"
"Of course." they replied.
She gave them an extra sheet for Winter, and let them out before the bell, so they could be ahead of the crowd.
As they exited the doors, the bell rang, and they rushed over to Winter's van, so that she could lie down if needed.
Qibli put his keys in the ignition, and they went off towards the hospital.
"Hey guys." Winter said from his bed as they rushed in.
He looked as good as before he was kidnapped, albeit his hospital robe.
"Are you okay?" Qibli asked tentatively.
"Other than these clothes, yes. Where's my hoodie?"
"Back at the dorm." Qibli laughed out seeing Winter was okay.
"Well TGIGUITT, huh?" Winter said.
"Uh...what?" Turtle said, confused.
"Thank goodness I grew up in the tundra." Winter explained.
That got everyone in good spirits, and they stayed by his side, until one by one, everyone else left, leaving just Moon and Winter.
"So…" Moon said shyly, "you said there was something you wanted to tell me?"
"Umm...yeah." he murmured.
"So what is it?" Moon pressed.
He sighed.
"Alright, I think I proved this a while ago, but you know I'd do anything for you...right?"
"Winter, what are you saying?" Moon asked, feeling her insides clamp up.
Winter put on a resolute face, and said, catching his words in his throat.
"M-Moonwatcher, will you g-go out with m-me?"
Ooh! Should we do Winterwatcher, and have Moon say yes? Or something else, let me know! Once again, let me know if you want to see a second arc in this story as well through a review! I appreciate every one! Thanks again for all the support! I'm glad you enjoy my story and all I have left to say is I'm coming out with a new one soon that will BLOW...YOUR...MIND!
