Chapter 37 Dream turn into Nightmare
"Don't be sad you two," Betty touches our shoulders and gives us a comforting look. "Shade will be fine." I wanted to believe her but deep down I couldn't let her words comfort me. With giant bats trying to find us, and this harsh winter I don't know how he can survive. All of sudden two banded bats came out of nowhere and got between me and Marina.
"Hi!" One chipped happily and the chubby one wraps his one wing around me and gives me his sharp bucktooth smile.
"Forget the Silverwing he was rude." I raise my eyebrows.
"He wasn't that rude..," I begin but he pulls me close. " You're both are better company now believe you and me."
"Ahem!" All of us heard Sirocco growled and we turn and I blinked how he was glaring at the chubby one. Like if he was touching something valuable, the chubby bat yanks his hand away. "I- I apologized it won't happen again."
"Oh no need to, it's alright." I chuckled. "It's sort of not a big deal."
"Of course it is," Sirocco said, and flew over and landed between me and him. "You must understand as a human you are worth valuable and must be treated as one." Okay, I didn't expect him to be this overprotective on me. I was about to ask him but he nods off at these two banded bats.
"I believe her bath is ready." We also hear him speak and one who has curly hair lift herself and grabbed my hands. "Now hurry have her bathe we got a lot of plans to do." One of the banded lifted and I grab its foot and she took me into the bathroom. My bath happens to be a bathroom sink and it was all filled up with warm water. I only sighed and put my bag down and begin to undress. I realized she was still standing I clear my throat.
"Um.. do you mind?" I asked.
Her eyes lit up and bowed. "Oh please forgive me! Is there anything else you want?"
"I just want to be alone...please,"
'Oh, of course, my lady. Anything for you,"
"My lady what?" I muttered though it was odd for her to say it and saw her fly away, leaving me alone. As I was taking a bath, soaking my body in nice warm water, I can't help to think about what happened between Shade and me along Marina. I rested my both arms on the side sink and see my amulet. I pick it up and glance at it sadly.
"I wonder if I'm doing this right. But why do I feel empty?" I talk to myself as I play my amulet for a bit relaxing in warm water. When I felt my whole body warming up I get up and dried myself with a huge hand towel the bats have left me and put on my winter clothing back on. After I was done that I put my amulet around my neck.
"Ash?" I look down from the counter and saw Marina by the door.
"Oh hi," That's all I can say and she flew up and landed beside me.
"So how's your bath?" She asked me. I only give her a shrugged.
"It was nice," I replied. I sat down as Marina got on her knees beside me. Then in corner of my eyes, she forms a little smile.
"Well, I can't believe we both found our place huh? Where we don't feel like an outsider?" I can tell she was trying to bring this good chat, wanting to forget about what happened earlier with Shade.
"I mean hey they are treating us like we want to be treated."
"But they didn't treat Shade right," I said, didn't look up at her. "Look how Sirocco was treating him. He doesn't have a band as you do."
"Well, he was kind of rude to them for a start," Marina admitted.
"But he was being honest," I argued.
"So? She snorted, "The greywings were rude to us remember?"
"But that's different!" I found myself raising my voice and she took it by surprise.
"Ash!" I made a sharp sigh and rub my face with my mitten out of frustration and stuttered.
'I just..I just don't know if we made the right decision, What if we made this worse?"
"It'll get better," She reassured me. "I promise maybe the more we live among these banded bats things will turn around good."
"Do you remember Shade almost left with greywings, but he decided to stay with us?" I asked her, watching her became silence. "And look what we did, we abandoned him."
"That was his choice!" She retorted.
"But we made it happened!" All of sudden a banded bat shows up right after I made an outburst. He flew in and came in front of us, flapping his wings.
"Forgive me for interruptions but Sirocco wishes you both to come soon after her bath."
"Tell him we'll be right there," Marina answered. He smiles at us and flew away, leaving us alone again. Then she turns to me.
"Ash please give this a chance, I know it's hard to lose him but Shade will be alright, I promise." When Marina lifts herself, I sigh heavily and grab her feet and we flew out towards other banded bats waiting for us, leaving my bag behind.
Third's person POV
Meanwhile, out in the snow Shade decides to rest himself on a cliff before he journey's on to catch up to his colony. He shivered in his wings and lets out a long sigh. When a snowflake falls on his nose he licks it to eat it. He couldn't believe his two friends decided to stay with the banded colony, instead of continuing to catch up with his colony. He even didn't understand his human friend wanted to join them. She has her father waiting back at the campground.
Shade thought she was smarter than this, but apparently, he was wrong. He begins to mutter to himself.
"I can't believe they were fooled by that big ear freak," All of sudden he saw a shadow pass him and he glanced up quickly.
"Marina? Ash?" He breathed with hope. To his horror shock, it was Goth and Throbb that pass him above. He was lucky enough they didn't catch his sense thanks to this cold weather. But he knows they're heading straight to where the cabin was at, where the banded bats are living and...his friends! They all in great danger he must go back to warn them before its too late. He spread his wings in frantic and took off in a different direction with much speed as he can.
The two giant bats while not seeing the runt bat were focusing on this one simple smell, mostly it's Goth who manages to catch a scent.
"Hmm, I smell a bat.." He took another sniff and made a dark grin. "No. many bats."
"My nose is too cold to smell nothing," Throbb groaned, having his nose stuffed up.
Goth took another big sniff and his eyes lit up. "Oh, there is allusive! We are near mi cabonrie very near." He was sure this scent was close and when they reach they'll feast upon unprotected bats.
Ashlie POV
By the time we reach the living room Sirocco was waiting for us. When Marina puts me down he smiled.
"Ah, you two made it. Right on time,"
"Time of what?" I asked. Instead of answering my question he took my hand.
"Oh you'll see soon," He looked over at Marina. "Why don't you roost with others while we both go over on the chair nearby."
"Um okay?" I shrugged while she hums. She flies up with the other banded as Sirocco walks with me towards the nearest chair. As we got there he flies up and landed on the chair and waited for me. I follow him by climbing up. When I reached up he begins the announcement.
"Everyone, its time to welcome our new sister." He spread his wings up as Marina and others roosted on edge of the top bookshelves. "As with all who join our new colony we begin by renaming."
"Wait what?" I tip my head and I saw Marina have the same puzzled look. He smiles up at her.
"Brightwing, you be now known as...Veronica."
"Veronica?" I added looking more puzzled and many banded bats nodded in agreeing.
"It's positively you!" The toothed one cheered. But Marina, however, didn't like this name she frowned.
"I prefer Marina thank you," She said coldly.
"Oh, I would've taken that other name if I were you," The redhaired banded bat who was beside her whispered.
"Wait a minute what is wrong with her name? It sounds fine to me." I shrugged. The banded bat leader laughed and look at me.
"Oh, my lady.." Okay, now he's calling me this too what gives? I thought and listen to him.
" You need to understand we banded bats must start a new life by renaming ourself. It is our way of making new members of our colony." He finished. Okay, I find this ridiculous of him making someone a new name and I ask him this question.
"So since you have given her new name do I have one? "
Sirocco laughed more. "Ah, you don't need to have one, whatever your name is we all be glad to accept. Then he turns to my friend.
'And I see your friend perhaps prefer a different kind of initiation." I almost gasped while the toothed banded bat tsks crossing his arms.
"We warned you," He sang.
"Now hold on a minute!" I step in and look at each banded bats. "Let's make a quick vote on which name she'll keep. Whoever voted the name most its the name for my friend." I saw Marina looked at me shocked and I said.
"Anyone who likes the name Veronica raises your hand..or wings." Sirocco was the one that raises his and I waited for others to raise theirs. So far we have one and in about a second I said.
"Anyone who likes the name Marina raises your wings." I rose my hand up and to my surprise, all of the banded bats did it." The leader crosses his arms, looking upset and I grinned.
"Well then, the winner is Marina! She is keeping her name." I winked at her and she smiled at me in relief. Sirocco thought for a moment and all of sudden his lips slowly form a smirk.
"She can keep her name under one condition," Before I can say anything he looks up at her. "I'll let you keep your name, Marina if you bring me that human food." He pointed towards the food and my eyes widen to see it was a piece of cheese on a mousetrap. The other one caught a mouse that was all skeleton.
"Sirocco you can't be serious!" I exclaimed. He only tsks.
"If your friend wants to keep her name she must do this task...unless you have another idea of another task my lady."
I look at him in shock and shook my head. "What no! I don't but she can't go through on this. We voted out!"
"Ashlie," I stopped to hear Marina talk and him and I glance at her.
"It's okay, I'll take his challenge," She sighed. I breathed and try to make her change her mind.
"Marina no you'll get hurt..."
"It's okay," She said. "I can handle this." I swallowed as Sirocco still has that smug look on his face.
"We're waiting...Veronica." I glowered of him calling that name and I watch her trying to think. Her eyes lit up, figuring out that she soared out from her roost and head straight for the salt bottle. My heart pounded as I watch her shove it off the shelves with her both feet and the salt itself falls and crash-landed on the mousetrap. As it hit the trap the cheese fling off and landed right in front of Sirocco. I grinned and almost jumped.
"Way to go Marina!" I cheered, She had a proud smile look on her face and I turn and expect to see the leader be impressed on her action. He didn't have it. Instead, he has a scowling look.
"Your friend is very clever,"
"You see?" I smirked. Then he made another tsks.
"But I don't want clever bats, I want loyal ones." He then looks over at Marina and spread his wings.
"Now repeat after me, I pledge my allegiance to the banded ones."
"I pledge my allegiance to the banded ones..?" She replied unsurely.
"I reject all who are not banded," What?! I was shocked. He was discriminated against all bats unbanded. I watch my friend gasped. When Marina did not repeat Sirocco look irritated and bare his teeth.
"Repeat after me! I reject those who are not banded."
"No, I'm not rejecting Shade!' Marina retorted. "He's my friend."
"You're being racist over the ones not having a band?!" I was boiling with anger. I understand now why he was acting towards him because Shade wasn't wearing any band and he's not just him alone. It was the entire bat in this world. I point my mitten at him and yelled more watching his face look little fright.
"You're just bad as the Greywing colony! I thought you were different but all you care about is these stupid bands and me as a human being!" I glance up at the brightwing feeling upset. "Come on Marina we're leaving. Let's find Shade and go to the real colony." Before I can jump off the chair I felt Sirocco grip my hand. I was about to slap his hand away but to my sudden confusion, he bowed and gripped my pants.
"Don't leave us!" He pleaded. "You can't leave after you return to us! Oh, Nocturna my goddess forgive me of my ignorant! I only wanted her to be loyal to the banded, and to please you."
"...What do you call me?" He looks up at me and smiled in desperate, gripping my legs.
"Nocturna you must remember you came to us. You came to fulfill the prophecy we prayed for and now your here. You come to let us see the light answering our prayers!" I was completely stunned. It all makes sense now! Of the banded bat scared after touching me, him treating me like I was valuable, some calling me my lady and all of them agreeing my vote. And it was not just me being a normal human. They all thought I'm the goddess herself?!
I finally came to my sense I shook my head. "This..this must be a mistake. I am not Nocturna."
"You must be!" He gets up and I realized he began to go crazy. "You are the human that we were waiting for and now your here." He gripped my shoulder. "Your memories were flogged soon you'll remember yourself, my lady. and you'll turn yourself into your original form." I became indeed scared and look up to saw many banded agreed with him. I felt my heart sank.
All this time I thought they only wanted me just be me. But they're only because they think I'm Nocturna. Fighting back my grief I look at Marina and saw her look bewilderment on all this goddess stuff.
I said softly "We're leaving. Come one let's go find Shade."
"NO!" I jumped in startled and Sirocco tries to grab me but I back fast and fall over the edge.
"Ashlie!" Marina swooped down and grab my arms in time before my back was hit on the hard floor. Then she glared at him after she let me get on my feet.
"Let us go!" Betty flew down and landed beside me and look at the leader unsure.
"Sirocco if they want to go, maybe we'll just let them."
"Are you saying you want to let our promise go?!" He growled at her and she looks at him with fear.
"N-no! I was talking about Mari...I mean Vernonia! Our goddess can stay with us." I shook my head and tried again convincing them.
"I'm not Nocturna!" I shouted. "Please listen I'm not her!" All of sudden we all heard panting and Shade came out from the fireplace having a terror look on his face. He saw Marina and I and swooped down at us panting heavily.
"I saw...Goth..and Throbb!"
"No!" Marina gasped and my eyes widen in fear.
"How close?"
"They're very close to us!" He answered. Shade then flies around and yelled at all of the bats. "Everyone you got to get out! The giant bats are coming!" Panic rose upon them and they frantically talk one another
"Giant bats!?"
"Oh no!"
Sirocco growled in anger and scream above this mess. "The Silverwing is lying he's jealous of our band!"
"No, he's telling the truth!" I cried. "We have to get out before they come!" I realized they're listening to Sirocco instead of me when I saw few banded bats trying to capture Shade. Marina and I try to run but we were surrounded by others.
"Shade don't leave us!" Marina shrieked. I saw him flying around to avoid getting caught and we were both dread to see him escaped through the chimney.
"Shade!" She screamed for him before we were taken in front of Sirocco. As we both came to face with him he crossed his arms. But he was mostly looking at Marina.
"Well Veronica, it looks like we have to teach you how to be loyal to the band." He glances at me and added. "Along helping you refresh your memory Nocturna.."
"I am not Nocturna," I begged him now to believe me and felt ashamed under my Lord.
"Her name is Ashlie she's a normal human from the camp." She added. Trying to help me but the leader snarled at her.
"Silence! You will be taught a lesson this instant." He nods the two banded bats to grab her. But before they did a giant door burst open, letting a snow air in. Everyone in the room gasped and we all saw a huge human man walking in carrying a tire on his right shoulder. Is he the man that lives here?
Sirocco's eyes went wide and look at me and him back and forth. The banded bats were muttering one another.
"Another human?"
"Just like Nocturna?"
"Who's the one they called Sirocco?" The man boomed. All of them pointed down at their leader and the man continues. "The time has come for transformation! I will lead you now."
"Our new leader!" One banded chirped. "A human!"
"Who knew?" Other smiled. My eyes lit up when I heard this familiar humming and saw the man was echolocation. I breathed and look over at a calendar and sure enough, it was exactly the same image.
"Shade?" I whispered. Out of all the echoprojection I cant see, this one I can! This wasn't time to be amazed at this life risk instead I saw Sirocco knew this as well and he barked.
"Don't listen to him! He's not a human!" I decided to help Shade out by raising my arm out.
"I'm the one that summons him! I want all of you to follow him as your new leader to fulfill your transformation!" I saw them finally listen to me and Marina didn't understand what was going on. I mouthed her its Shade without anyone noticing. She took a few seconds to finally understood what was happening. She finally gets the picture and I smiled as she did and the man who is really Shade shouts.
"Obey me banded ones, you must leave at once!"
Betty came to Sirocco and said. "We must do as the human says."
"No!" The green bat snapped. "Leave here and you will die."
"Stay and you will die!" The man corrected. Sirocco just about had enough of this after he saw who it was spreading his wings out.
"It's the Silverwing! He's playing a trick." He put his hands on his head. "Look look! I can do it too!" He tries to hum echolocation. Before he can make one I let out my frantic scream.
"Everyone fly get out of here! ALL OF YOU NOW GO GO!" With that, every banded bat scream and fly out of the cabin while Sirocco yelled no. I felt relief to see them leaving and pray the cabin will be empty before the giant bats come. One of them I saw tripped in the air and fall on the floor. I rushed over to help her and Marina came beside me.
"Go go." She helped her up and glance at me.
I nod. "Let's go!" Marina was about to lift herself to take my hand but Sirocco stopped her by snatching her arm.
"You two are not going anywhere!" He snarled. She struggles to get out of his grip while I try to help her by pulling his handoff.
"Are you freaking deaf?! Your life is at stake!" I yelled.
"We banded bats has never let anyone harm us!" He barked. "You can protect us if you remember your promise...!" He stops when we all heard a thud above the roof. When we hear more steps my face paled.
"They're here," I whispered. Before Sirocoo gets a chance to ask Throbb voice was heard from the chimney.
"Goth here!" No no! No! About a couple seconds Goth himself appeared like a dark angel from the entrance, cackling evilly. Sirocco froze at the sight and with him distracted I pull Marina away and she took off as I run. But I wasn't lucky when she got out the door was shut before I can make it. I glance up sharply and Throbb was the one who shut the door, trapping us.
"No!" I look over and saw Goth landed on the chair making the other bats fly away in fear.
"My Goddess.. they're real?" Sirocco asked softly, looking stunned. I nodded sadly.
"We try to warn you," All the banded bats who were trapped all wimped and tremble and Goth looked at each one crossing his wings. He forms a dark smirk after he saw their band showing.
"Don't worry little ones, we are with.."He pulls out his to show everyone, taunting them. "The band." The scream broke out when Throbb starts to chase them. I watch in horror of the bats flying for their lives and few knockdown few objects trying to escape. But then Sirocco grabbed my both arm making me look at him.
"Nocturna save us!" He looks terrified as I was, gripping my arms. "My goddess save us!"
"Let me go!" My voice cracked and suddenly Goth landed in front of us, after hearing our voice. While the chaotic was going on he smirked at me.
"My senorita! It's funny how you are here, I've been missing you." I didn't speak with my voice dry up with fear. Sirocco, however, spoke out shakingly and I wish he kept his mouth shut.
"N-Nocturna will save us!" He almost shoves me in front of him. " This human is our goddess that comes to rescue us." I watch Goth glance at me confused, slowly he began to laugh harshly.
"You honestly think this girl is your savior?!" He cackled. "Oh, you Northen bats have a great sense of humor!"
Sirocco tried to show bravery he growled. "It is true!" "Don't make fun of her!" Then the giant bat hummed stroking his beard. Then he forms a sinister smile.
"Well let's find out of if she's really is the goddess," Without warning Goth charged at us but he was after the banded leader, snatching him with his neck. I realized what he was going to do I yelled.
"NO DONT..!" It was too late. Goth plunged his claws on his chest and I scream in horrified covering my mouth. The whole cabin was silent, many bats stopped flying and glance down. Like me, they look dread to see Sirocco gasped and cough blood from his mouth. The giant bat took his claws out having blood on it and dropped him on the floor. My body was stiff when he turned to me. Then walks to me and took my left hand.
"Now let's see if you can heal your powers...Oh great Nocturna," He mocked me, pulling my mitten off showing my bare hand. He dragged me towards dying Sirocco and force me to put my hand on his wound, feeling his warm blood on my hand.
"What are you waiting for?!" He laughed darkly. "Go ahead! heal him! You did heal your arm do the same for him," I find myself I couldn't use my amulet, feeling to petrified my tears welled up.
"Come on Nocturna do it! You are their savior arent you senorita?" He cackled more.
"Goth please stop please," I sobbed. "I'm not her please stop it!" It's like he wants me to say this, he yanks my bloody hand up to show everyone that is still flying in fear. He held it up and roared.
"This is proof your weak goddess is never here! She cant save your leader! This woman has lost all of your hope!" Through my tears, I catch a glimpse of each and every one of them having face broken and watch helpless their leader dying. He then dropped me and huffed.
"How pathetic," I crawl over to the banded leader who was still struggling to breathe holding his wound.
I cried more. "Sirocco I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry to bring you this." He turns to me gasp heavily.
"I-I'm sorry too," With his last breath he spoke. "Pl..please take care of the banded bats...forgive me...Ashlie." After I watch him died I was pulled away from him and Goth made me turn to face him. He used his claw to gently wipe my tears away.
"Now there's no need to be sad, it's his fault for believing." I saw many dead bats on the ground and Throbb was eating one of them. "I can perhaps make all this stop if you accept my proposal senorita," This is just like my nightmare. Everyone is being killed and Goth blackmailing me to marry him and if I don't say yes he'll kill more innocents. Not knowing my amulet glowed I shoved him away.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" I gasped to see a strong wind came out of nowhere and made Goth crash hard on the wall. He looked at me shocked, then his face turns to dark snarl.
"I'm losing my patience senorita. When we feast on these bats and more on that runt's colony we'll take you anyway whenever you like it or not! "
"No!" I cried in horror.
"Oh yes, we will! Come here!" He charges at me and I scream and run before he attacks me. I run and saw more banded bats flying in panic, still trying to find a way to escape. Feeling weak from the amulet I use the last bit of my strength to go further. Luckily enough one banded bat, who was a greenwing accidentally crash on Goth giving me enough time to run further. I manage to go to the chimney entrance and without hesitation, I begin climbing.
"As I try to climb fast I can hear more screaming with blood coughing and flesh being torn apart. Feeling my body shaken I shut my eyes and stop, unable to move.
"Dad wake me up! Please wake me up!"
"Ashlie!" I gasped and glance up to see Marina above the chimney.
"Marina help me!" I saw her flying down at me and I reach my hand in desperate.
"Hang on!" She caught my hand with her feet and right before she begins to pull me I yelped when someone else seizes my leg. I glance down and saw Goth grabbing my leg while holding on a brick wall.
"You will never escape me senorita! You will meant to be mine!" He dragged me back while Marina pulls another way and I hold on to her much as I can. "Its how Zotz sees this!"
"Let her go you filthy rat!" Marina growled, still pulling me up. I saw Goth's hand begin to slipped he clawed my leg and I cried how pain it was to feel them pinch my skin through my pants. With the last of her strength, Marina pulled hard and I let out another painful scream while hearing my right pants begin ripped.
When I got free from Goth's grip I use my good leg to kick his face and Marina bolted out of the chimney. We both heard him roared in anger and I look down quickly to see my right leg that was in the healing process, now all covered in blood.
"Ashlie are you okay?" Marina panted.
I shook my head answering with my body shaken still that is not from the cold. "Let's get out of here please before he comes up." She did as we both fly away from the nightmare cabin and begin catching up with others.
Author's Note: Here's another one! :D hope you like where this is going but if not dont read and review! I dont own silverwing characters except OC enjoy!