Later on...
By the time the dragonets had returned to Jade Mountain, the sun had already set, and the darkness of the night filled the atmosphere. Thankfully, torches were lit throughout the academy, so each dragonet landing at the mouth of the Great Hall was done with ease. Fatespeaker walked with Starflight to lead him through the halls to their sleeping caves. Before Sunny and the others left, Starflight called to Sunny and the others, who looked at the NightWing with curiosity.
"Guys…Thank you." Starflight pieced together with gratitude in his voice. "You didn't have to do all that, but…I appreciate you doing it"
Clay grew a warm smile at his brother's response. "It was the least we could do, Star" He replied in a warm tone. "That's what family is for"
Sunny had an equally warm smile, agreeing with Clay's claim. Tsunami, however, rolled her eyes. "Don't get used to it, Starflight," Tsunami added in a brash tone. "We only got mushy cause you needed us to, I am not stooping this low again"
Clay, Sunny, and Fatespeaker looked at Tsunami with half-closed eyes over her remark. "It wasn't a forced move, Tsunami," Fatespeaker replied in an annoyed tone, though she was faking it. "You got mushy cause you had some love to share for Starflight"
Tsunami replied by crossing her forearms and turning her head away. Clay maintained his half-closed eyes as he grew a warm and playful smile as he slowly leaned his head toward her.
"Come on, Tsunami" Clay said in a low, yet playful tone. "Admit the love you have"
Tsunami maintained that ignorant look, but Clay, Sunny, and Fatespeaker's looks made her struggle before she quickly walked up and embraced Starflight as tightly as she could, wings and all. "Aw, Who am I kidding?" Tsunami relented. "I can't ignore the familial love I have for you, no matter how annoying you are"
Starflight grew a slight smile at Tsunami's embrace, while Clay, Sunny, and Fatespeaker began to giggle at Tsunami's relentlessness. "There it is" Clay pointed out with a talon.
Tsunami looked at the others as she embraced her brother. "At least they don't know of the romantic feelings I once had for him," She thought to herself.
Sunny, however, opened her jaw wide, baring her teeth momentarily as she yawned. "I think it's time we settled down for the night" She stated to the others.
Clay nodded at Sunny's response "Yeah, We had a long day today" He replied. "Off to our caves"
With that, each dragonet walked their way into their caves for the night. As they walked, Sunny walked with Starflight and Fatespeaker. As they stopped at the corridor leading to the library Fatespeaker looked at Starflight with an honest look on her snout.
"Starflight, go on inside," She told the NightWing. "I'll come in later"
Starflight nodded at Fatespeaker's response. "Alright. I'll wait for you" He responded as he proceeded into the corridor, a talon touching the wall so he wouldn't bump into anything. Fatespeaker and Sunny looked at each other once Starflight was out of view.
,
"I'm glad we did that for Starflight" Sunny spoke first in an honest tone. "I may not see him as a mate, but that doesn't mean our friendship should fizzle because of it"
Fatespeaker smiled as she nodded at Sunny's response. "Yeah. I may know you guys for just a few months, but I know without a doubt that you are a family." Fatespeaker replied. "Unrequited romance shouldn't have to ruin that bond between you and Starflight"
Sunny smiled at Fatespeaker's comment before she looked back at the corridor. She then looked back at Fatespeaker with a concerned look on her snout.
"Fatespeaker," She began, as Fatespeaker looked at her with a curious look on her snout. "I'm gonna try and make time to spend with Starflight and you when I can. But I know that JMA is gonna keep me very busy with all the dragonet students we'll be teaching." Sunny explained.
"Promise me that you'll take good care of Starflight during this time, especially with his blindness. I want to teach the students without me worrying about him 24/7-" Sunny asked firmly, but maintained her concerned voice.
"Sunny" Fatespeaker interrupted, placing a talon on the hybrid's shoulder. "I'll do my best. You don't have to worry." She promised in a determined tone.
Sunny smiled at the NightWing and the two shared a tight, yet warm embrace. "Thank You, Fatespeaker." Sunny thanked. "I knew you were the right dragon for Starflight"
Fatespeaker slightly blushed as she embraced Sunny "You're Welcome, Sunny. I am so glad I got to know you all."
The two dragonets had one last squeeze before they released each other and walked into their respective caves. As she walked into her cave, Sunny had one last glance toward the corridor leading into the library. She felt that familiar guilt that she had felt before when she saw the two NightWings together. Only this time, it felt rather small, especially thanks to everything they did for him. She may not love him romantically, but she knew she loved him like family. It was a bond she felt was much more meaningful than what romance could muster.
"I'm so glad we all helped Starflight." Sunny thought to herself. "We're not mates, but we're not just friends either. We are much more: family." Sunny then walked into her office/cave for the night. As she rested, Sunny was at ease now that she fully explained her rejection reasons and apologized to Starflight for essentially taking him for granted. One side of her still had wondered in her mind of one thing: if…no…when Starflight would accept Fatespeaker as the dragon he should be with. It may take a while, but Sunny had hope for the future…
Two Months after the Pantalan War…
Sunny walked through the now-empty corridors of JMA. With the students out for summer break, the only few dragons in the school now were her and her friends, Webs, and of course Stonemover. She wanted to check in on everyone now that they had finally managed to complete the first semester despite the few hiccups that happened along the way. She had already checked in on Clay and Peril, as well as Tsunami and Stonemover, but the dragons she wanted to check in with were Starflight and Fatespeaker. As Sunny reached the familiar corridor entrance, she took a deep breath and exhaled calmly as she walked in. She peacefully took in the beautiful decor of the library she had known ever since it was founded and was ready to speak to Starflight again. But when she looked at the desk at the center of the cave, she grew a surprised look on her snout. Behind the desk was not Starflight, but Fatespeaker. The Nightwing looked up at the Hybrid and grew a welcoming smile at her.
"Hi, Sunny!" Fatespeaker greeted in a cheerful tone.
Sunny grew a bright smile at the NightWing's greeting. "Hi to you Fatespeaker!" Sunny greeted back as she sat on her hind legs in front of her. Fatespeaker looked at the hybrid with an equally bright, welcoming smile.
"What brings you here today?" Fatespeaker asked in a curious tone.
Sunny was eager to answer her question. "I'm just checking in on everyone, especially now cause of summer break starting" Sunny explained happily. "Can You believe it? We made it through our first semester!"
Fatespeaker grew an excited look in her eyes. "We sure did, and it will get better with the field guide we published!" She answered.
"I know! Now peace can be spread not just here but through all of Pyrrhia and even Pantala as well!" Sunny replied happily, her tail wagging in delight.
Fatespeaker smiled at Sunny's joyful reaction. "Well, Sunny, in other news, Starflight wanted to see you recently," Fatespeaker stated, changing the subject.
Sunny grew a curious look in her eyes "About what?" She asked the NightWing.
"Remember when we did that thing for Starflight about you rejecting him?" Fatespeaker asked Sunny in a questioning tone.
Sunny raised her brow. They did that gesture of kindness months ago. She thought it was done, and that at this point Starflight moved on. "I…I thought we were past all this" Sunny was about to say.
Fatespeaker was quick to diffuse the situation. "It's not about him still having feelings for you." She quickly said.
Sunny's concern lessened now that that was made clear. "Well…what does he want to see me for? She asked curiously.
Fatespeaker responded by going under the desk and handing Sunny a note from Starflight, though it was written by her. "Starflight wanted to tell you this" Fatespeaker responded.
Sunny, curious about Starflight's desire to see her, opened the note.
"Sunny, remember the dream visitor you used to talk to Moorhen and Blaze? I want you to sleep with that and visit my mind tonight. There's something I want you to see. -Starflight"
Sunny looked curiously at the words Starflight said to her through the note. She wondered why he wanted her to visit his mind when she slept.
Later that night…
Inside Sunny's office/cave, she opened her box of treasures and rummaged inside it. Eventually, underneath all the gold necklaces, coins, and bracelets, Sunny found the item in question dream visitor. It was a tiny blue gem shaped like a star. It glowed a fluorescent blue glow as the hybrid had it in her grasp.
"I wonder what Starflight wants to show me in his dreams." Sunny thought to herself, curiously. "Only one way to find out"
Sunny then went to her nest of comfy sheets and pillows and curled into a tight ball as she went into a peaceful slumber. As she slept, the dream visitor in her talon began to glow brighter. Sunny felt as if her soul was slowly waking up and climbing out of her body as a dream-like visage of her climbed out. Sunny peacefully flew through the corridors and into the library, where Starflight and Fatespeaker could be seen peacefully sleeping together in the same nest of moss and pillows. Sunny then dived into Starflight's head and traveled into his mind.
Inside Starflight's mind, hundreds of odd scenes surrounded her, but the sound was the same. She assumed these were memories of certain events happening, but due to his blindness, he left it to his imagination to picture what was going on and what things looked like. As Sunny traveled through the multitude of memories, she spotted a NightWing sitting in the center of them all. Sunny assumed that it was Starflight, except his eyes were restored to the beautiful green eyes he had before the incident. The visage of Starflight beckoned Sunny to follow him, and carefully the two dragons walked to a secluded scene in his brain. It looked like a giant cloud, but a picture slowly materialized. It seemed to show Fatespeaker inside an odd scene. It most likely was the library from what Starflight could picture with his imagination, but Fatespeaker looked like she was confused about something.
"Is this what Starflight wanted me to see?" Sunny thought to herself curiously. She continued to look at the memory as it played out like some kind of moving picture.
"What are you thinking about?" Fatespeaker asked, curiosity laced in her voice.
"About…about you, I'll admit," Starflight told her in an honest tone. It was slightly louder from being in Starflight's point of view in the memory. "How much you've helped and supported me ever since I became blind."
Fatespeaker quickly started reassuring Starflight upon his answer. "Starflight, of course, I've always been there for you. You're not just a blind NightWing, but you're also my best friend." Fatespeaker told him
The scene seemed to bob up and down from Starflight nodding. "Yes. You are my best friend..but I've been thinking about this for a good while" Starflight explained
"What do you mean by 'this'? " Fatespeaker asked, curiously with a raised brow.
"What I mean by that is how our bond should go further" Starflight answered to clarify his thoughts about Fatespeaker.
Sunny felt as if something caught her heart upon what Starflight began to confess.
Fatespeaker looked like she had just seen a shooting star pass by in the sky as Starflight's voice grew honest in tone in his confession. "You see, when I first met you and we became friends, I mainly had Sunny in mind in being in a romantic relationship. We both know she rejected me because she loves me like a brother, especially when she and the rest of you assured that with your selfless act," Starflight began to explain, talking about the familial act of kindness Clay and the others had done for Starflight. "You were only what I initially saw you as; a friend. But as time went on, I began to realize the true reason it became like this."
Sunny could only look on at the dream as her eyes began to reflect on Starflight's words. Fatespeaker looked as if she was about to start crying in the dream as well.
"I know that Sunny will always be there for me as a sister and she will always be in my heart. But I see now how much of a caring dragon you are to me. You've done more things for me than Sunny and the others could have done. You've been there for me every step of the way when I became blind. You've been my closest ally in helping not only to advocate peace to all of Pyrrhia but also just being there by my side throughout my new life." Starflight continued onward. "I thought Sunny was the key to me having a happy life, but now I slowly realize the truth to finding happiness. The truth of this goal…lies in you"
"Is he…" Sunny thought to herself as tears slowly began to pool in her eyelids.
Fatespeaker's eyes began to reflect with unshed tears as she slowly leaned her muzzle closer to Starflight's. Starflight continued to confess, his tone growing more understanding and confident as he went. "I wanted a happy ending when the war ended, and I mostly got it with what I have now. I think it's time that not only do I reach that true ending, but you reach it as well" Starflight continued. "Fatespeaker- False Dragonet of Destiny, assistant librarian, and one of my closest friends. It is time that we take our bond to a new"
…But Fatespeaker stopped him in the middle of his confession by affectionately licking the top part of his snout with her eyes closed. She allowed her tears to flow freely from her eyes and she wrapped her wings and arms around Starflight, with him repeating the actions as they shared a passionate nuzzle.
This was when the tears Sunny had in her eyes began to spill over, and she gave out the occasional sniffle as she watched Starfight accept Fatespeaker's love for him.
The exchange lasted well over 10 seconds, before Fatespeaker rested her head on Starflight's chest, quietly sobbing with relentless tears of joy.
"Yes…Yes, I'll be your mate, Starflight." Fatespeaker tearfully accepted
It wasn't long after that Starflight began to sob, his tears dampening his cloth blindfold and slowly dripping onto Fatespeaker. After so long, Starflight had finally found love. True it wasn't with Sunny like he originally desired, but with how Fatespeaker was around him, Starflight felt she was as close to Sunny as she could get.
Sunny could only continue sobbing at the dream she was witnessing.
"You don't know how long I've waited to hear you say that," Fatespeaker admitted through her tears.
"I know. I want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side, to have you for comfort, for kindness, and above all, for understanding." Starflight confessed, in a tone that seemed to show his love for Fatespeaker. "And who knows, there may even be a dragonet on the table as well."
All Fatespeaker did was tighter her embrace on Starflight, and gently nuzzled into his chest. "Yes. I'll be there for you. I want to be there to share your knowledge with our students, to enjoy life's simple moments, and to start a family when the time comes. I love you, Starflight-Dragonet of Destiny" Fatespeaker tearfully confessed
"I love you too, Fatespeaker. Forever and Always" Starflight replied in a tender voice.
As the two NightWings remained locked in a snug, yet warm embrace, they did something they never suspected to do...they purred. Starflight purred because of his acceptance of Sunny and the other's familial bond. Fatespeaker purred for she now had the love and comfort of the first true friend she had. Starflight and Fatespeaker gently nuzzled each other as they purred, their hearts feeling like they were now merging into one.
Back in her office, Sunny was still asleep, only now, tears seemed to flow from her eyes freely from the heartwarming dream she had seen from Starflight's mind. It had finally happened, Starflight had finally moved on. Sunny had a lot to talk to him about once she woke up.
The Next Morning…
Sunny walked through the different corridors to the great hall. She pondered on what Starflight wanted to talk to her about. He knew she didn't love him romantically and that despite that, she would still be there for him as a friend/sister. What was it that was so important that just he and her could only talk about?
Pretty soon, Sunny reached the Great Hall. Sunny had exited from the left tunnel-one of four in the hall. Each tunnel had a map above it to help students traverse the tunnels to their class caves. The cave was illuminated by the sun that hung in the sky overhead. At the edge of the entrance of the cave, Starflight lay there at the cave entrance…alone. Sunny quietly walked up to the Blind NightWing and lay next to him, a small smile adorning her face.
"Hi, Starflight." Sunny quietly said
Starflight turned his head towards Sunny and smiled at her.
"I'm glad you're here, Sunny," Starflight responded
"I…I just wanted to share this morning with you." Sunny responded carefully. "Is that alright?"
Starflight grew a warm smile at Sunny's question. "Yes, you may."
Both dragons just sat there in silence, the only sounds audible being the echoes from the cave, and the occasional fluttering chirps of birds passing by. Sunny exchanged a glance at Starflight and opened her mouth to break the silence.
"Isnt is so cool that we came so far?" Sunny asked, "From just dragonets stuck in a cave away from the world?"
"Yeah. Now what we've created is the shining example that Pyrrhia and even beyond can live in peace" Starflight said, rather proudly.
"Especially with the new guidebook we published," Sunny added.
"Yeah, especially that," Starflight agreed.
Once again, they sat in silence. As she shared another look at Starflight…a memory flashed in Sunny's mind. The way they sat next to each other, the way the area was around them. It reminded her of the time long ago when she sadly turned down Starflight's romantic feelings for her. The difference between that moment together and this one was that…this time it felt more solemn, more genuine. Still, Sunny couldn't help but apologize again for not feeling the same way Starflight felt about her.
"Starflight…I just want to tell you. The time when I rejected you…I'm sorry." Sunny started.
"I wished I could share the same feelings for you as you did back then but…I just couldn't. I didn't want to hurt you with my decision-"
"Sunny," Starflight interrupted, resting his talon on Sunny's.
"It's alright. We were still young and navigating our feelings and the world. Not to mention the prophecy were trying to fulfill" He began
"Yes, I was heartbroken that you didn't love me that way. But it was after what you and the others did before the first semester started that I realized the truth about our bond: that I didn't need to have romantic feelings to know that you care for me" Starflight explained
His explanation left Sunny surprised, and rather touched by his words. Sunny still felt that she should explain her reason
"I never got to tell you why I encouraged you to pursue Fatespeaker," Sunny told Starflight
Starflight turned his head toward Sunny like he was looking at her, even though he wasn't.
"Fatespeaker, when I met her, we shared the same kind of personality, the same determination, among other similarities. I also saw how much she cared about you as much as I do. I looked at her…and I saw…me." Sunny explained
Starflight maintained an understanding look on his snout. "That reminds me" He then said, remembering something important. "Did you get to sleep with the dream visitor?"
Sunny remembered what Starflight was talking about upon the mention of the animus-touched gem. "I did…I saw everything with you and Fatespeaker" Sunny answered in an honest tone. "I saw the moment you took her by the talon, and accepted her love for you."
As she explained what she had seen, Sunny's heart felt like it was pushing through all the swords and knives of guilt and doubt, and to the sunlight it desperately wanted to see. Her heart felt like it was singing as her eyes reflected with unshed tears.
"Starflight…I'm so proud of you" Sunny managed to say proudly, yet emotionally. "I'm so happy you moved on"
Starflight slightly tightened his grasp of the hybrid's talon. "I didn't do it alone…you helped us get to this point," Starflight admitted. "If it wasn't for you rejecting me, I would have never seen that she was the dragon I was meant to be with. So, in a way, I and Fatespeaker have you to thank, Sunny" Starflight told her.
Sunny felt touched that Starflight felt she played a part in his newly set future(though in a way it was true) With tears pooling in her eyelids, Sunny stood up, while still sitting, and enveloped Starflight in a warm embrace, her bright yellow wings tightly wrapping around Starflight as she rested her head on his chest.
"Starflight, I've never been so proud of you for this," Sunny said in a broken voice."I just want you to know that I'm still here for you. I'll be there with the others, supporting the bright future you guys have, spending time enjoying life's moments, and other things that Pyrrhia hopefully won't ruin." With tears already flowing from her eyes, Sunny was able to muster one final sentence to her brother.
"I love you, Starflight. I always will"
With that Sunny quietly sobbed in Starflight's arms, her eyes closed as tears flowed from her eyes onto the rocky floor of the cave. All Starflight did was gently wrap his wings around her, and gently rocked her back and forth in his best attempt to comfort her.
"I know, Sunny. Thank you for everything. I'll always love you too" Starflight quietly responded.
It wasn't long before Sunny's sobbing subsided. And in Starflight's grasp, Sunny gently nuzzled him, her sobs now replaced by quiet affectionate purring, with a warm smile adorning her snout.
"Hey, Guys!" A voice interrupted.
Both dragons turned their heads in the direction of the voice. It was Fatespeaker, looking at the two siblings with a warm smile on her face.
"Sorry if I interrupted your little sobfest, but I'm gonna need help arranging the scrolls. Some of them are copies of our field guide!" Fatespeaker told them in a joyful tone.
Sunny looked at Starflight, who turned his head in her direction, a smile adorning his face.
"You want to come and help?" Starflight asked in a warm tone.
"Of course." Sunny agreed, maintaining that warm smile.
Starflight and Sunny soon walked towards Fatespeaker and followed the left-most tunnel to the library. Starflight and Fatespeaker curled their tails around each other, while Sunny rested her head on Starflight's neck, her heart feeling warm in the presence of her friend and sibling.
Through everything that's happened, through the pain of rejection, to the warmth of familial love, to the realization of deserving romance, Starflight and Sunny had finally moved on from their unrequited feelings and came out with their familial bond stronger than it ever could.
Starflight and Fatespeaker were finally happy with their new life, and Sunny could finally let go of her doubts and guilt. No matter what happened between them now, there was always one thing in Sunny's mind.
Starflight was and will always be her NightWing brother, a part of her family, and a part of her life for years to come.
And it's because of this that she would always love him…
The End.
Well, here we are. My first Wings of Fire fanfiction, and perhaps the most emotional thing I had ever written. I would like to thank users jbhughes54enwiler, bones_baubles, Magmateeth, and many others for their advice on some chapters. My fanfiction would have never gotten this far without their help. For that, I thank you all. and don't worry, I do have some other ideas in mind...a big one being about Queen Coral, but I would love to see your feedback on this to see if I should continue.
Until next time,
SystemShocker287
May you all have the power of Wings of Fire...
