A/N: Okay so bear with me on this one.

Searching for a crack of light
But it seems to be changing
Is the sun leaving the sky
Or is it me that is fading
In the dark unseen
I know you search for me
I feel you drawing near
You fight my fear

Fireflight - Escape

Chapter 35 – I hear you

3rd POV

Aster was screaming, his body contorting with the agony he felt; his mind slowly being driven insane by the darkness. There was no light here, no wonder, no memories or sweet dreams. There was no hope for him; he was stuck in a place where hope could not reach him.

He found this cruel and unfair, he had saved a child from this fate and yet he still suffers alone. He had hoped that when he was to die, that he were to be with his family once again. His Dam and Pa, all his siblings and then he had hoped when he had opened his eyes again he would be standing in front of his mate.

But no, fate was a cruel mistress and now he was suffering in what he would deem the human word for hell. He was cold and alone, so very cold.

Calm Aster, you can overcome the pain… Think; think of how you got here… He scolded himself before moving, grunting in pain as he heaved his body up into a sitting position. He struggled to even his breathing and let the agonizing cold and darkness flow through him and out.

"Evergreen… Evergreen…" Aster's eyes snapped open and the darkness was replaced with rolling green hills and flowers. He could smell the familiar scents of his home and hear the familiar sounds that he long since forgotten.

"Evergreen Aster Bunnymund!" The voice that woke him spoke sternly, causing his head to whip in that direction, his eyes widening as he took in the familiar doe before him.

"Dam?" he asked before standing, his legs shaking with shock. "How?"

Blackhaw shook her head and smiled warmly at her son, "you're all grown up now Evergreen, a mighty warrior you have become. This place, this place here where you are is a place where spirits wait. I am your guide on this, I cannot convince you either way on what path should you take, and I am only here to accompany you." She told him honestly, resting on her hind legs.

Aster stared before moving close to his mother, warily extending his arm to touch her. She gave him a warm smile before pulling him into a hug, snuffling his forehead like she did when he was a kit. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to help you," he told her causing her to sigh.

"Aster… that is what people call you now; yes? Much like your father... Aster, my son, I had died to protect another, someone more precious than that of my life. Do you remember Tecomanthe?" she asked causing Aster to frown, a tall jack with pure white snow and laden with ice armour.

"He was the king of the Pooka Tribe yes?" Blackhaw nodded before sighing sadly and picked some burs out of her son's fur.

"His son, Hellebores was fighting against Kozmotis and was losing, almost dying. I told Tecomanthe to take Hellebores to safety while I distracted S'motis. I do not regret the decision Evergreen; I just hope that Tecomanthe got his son to safety before he was tracked down." Blackhaw explained causing Aster to frown as he tried to remember the jack she was explaining. He had been to the winter tribe many times with his dam but cannot remember ever seeing Hellebores.

Aster winced and rubbed his chest as he felt a twinge of cold flash through him causing Blackhaw to let him go and step back, her green eyes alight as she saw the mark on her son's chest glowing.

"If I decide to stay with you, will I see everyone again? Will I be with the Pooka's again?" Aster asked causing his Dam to frown slightly but nod, he still couldn't tear his eyes away from his dam; he never wanted to forget her face once more.

"If I want to go back… can I?" He asked again a little bit more warily causing Blackhaw to nod. "Then I want to…"

Blackhaw quickly cut him off. "Evergreen, tell me… is there nothing on earth holding you there? No friends?"

"Well yes… but there is someone, someone on the other side… Dam, I just…" Aster trailed off, holding back the sob as he thought of his mate, the pain that came with it soon followed.

"Evergreen, what are you not telling me my son? Why do I feel so much pain from you?" Blackhaw asked worried as she felt the ice settle through her, she was always attuned to her children and those around her. This pain was something she had never felt from her boy before, her other kits yes but not Evergreen.

"I have friends yes, but, but I lost my mate Dam. I felt them die; I didn't know I wasn't the only one... I looked for so long, so very long and I thought… I thought I was the only one till I felt them die… I never got the chance." He broke off into sobs, the warrior Pooka broken down to this?

Blackhaw's heart clenched as she saw her son break down, she wished she could comfort him the way she wanted too but she knew deep down that for now she had to let him go. Blackhaw knew that she had told Evergreen that she could not convince him what path he should take, but there was no harm in pointing something out to him.

"Aster, my sweet boy; you listen here and listen now! I thought I had raised you better; have you no felt the heart song? Have you tried? Evergreen, I will always love and be proud of you. I have to go now, your decision has been made and it wasn't by you. Just think and rest my child, meditate on your mate's heart song. I love you." She told him before tapping the ground and saluting her boy before dropping down. She had to go, she wasn't needed anymore.

Aster watched his mother disappear before frowning, his chest aching with the thought of delving into his soul but he always listened to his mother, always listened to her orders. She was the queen of spring after all, one of the Pooka leaders you had to obey. If you were their child or not.

With a sigh he sunk to the ground once more and closed his eyes, delving deeper into his soul. The familiar tune of his home was now accompanied by the soft sounds of a heart thumping in line with his and the sound of Ice tinkling together with a fife.

Hear me… can you hear my song… do you hear me my mate? Come back to me… you are not alone, I will be the light in the dark, do you hear me?

Aster's eyes shot open as he gasped in pain, a cry breaking past his muzzle as he jerked in the bed. "I hear you." He whispered, before laughing. "I hear you!"

I hear you my mate!

A/N: Well then… thoughts?

E