Time Spawns Thoughts

A/N: I am mostly writing alone on this story, though Admiral is proofreading to ensure I don't stray from the established canon. Credit goes to his version of the characters.

As the Nightwing assassin flew through the skies, he found himself fidgeting with the coral that had been provided to him. He found that as with most other objects that had been affected by animus magic, the cold undead feel of them was absent from his senses. He had expected it though, as his own scales were enchanted. He, himself was an animus touched object as far as he was concerned.

He then recoiled as he recalled the events prior to this mission. First and foremost, the expedition to the old Nightwing Island. Nothing was there worth saving. Well, except for the survey team. His heart wrenched as he recalled the one "survivor" of the collapse. She was dying, yet she was aware of that. The most disturbing part was that she did not seem to worry. She didn't ask for assistance. All she asked was that she not die alone. Bloodwalker had obliged and stayed with her until her death a few minutes later. The ash and air was of no concern to him. He had still been upset from not being able to catch the cultists when they had made off with Peacemaker.

He had grown to know the Nightwing-Rainwing Hybrid, and on occasion, actively sought him out. His odd rainbow scales that classified him as an anomaly almost made him feel as though there was an almost kindred spirit. But then the cult hit. And that was what was fueling him right now. Knowing now that the strawberry farmer was actually the nightmare story for Nightwings and Icewings, Bloodwalker had been understandably shooken about that little iota of information. He could only imagine what the unknowing hybrid was going through right now.

Next on his personal memory train was his encounter with Sobek. Now, that event brought its physical and mental marks. Sobek was violent, that part he could overlook. Some dragons were just born with a natural affinity to it. Bloodwalker was practically born into it. But afterwards, his profile of the former Outclaw had changed. It wasn't revenge, but a definite hostility simmered in him whenever that traitor was mentioned. Both his mentors, Nightwing and Loyalty, had taught him that a dragon's trust is one of the most valuable things one can have, and to throw it away is sacrilegious.

He remembered when he had been on duty that night, and he had heard the Sandwing break down Glory's door. Honestly, this was one of the few moments he wasn't entirely sure what to do. He couldn't tell from the view he had where Sobek was, so for all he knew, Sobek was just waiting above Glory's head. So he needed to try a different direction. He deliberately revealed his presence, and at the same time, alerting a nearby guard to go and get Peril. He still needed to buy time, so he decided to try and both do that and get Glory out at the same time.

Only one of those objectives worked however. Bloodwalker had stayed still for as long as he could without triggering a response, and as Sobek was about to strike, he rose. Distracting Sobek, which had thankfully been long enough to allow Peril to make her entrance. Afterwards, he had witnessed the fire that burnt down all of Greatness's hut, and effectively erased their history. He had been greatly perturbed by her words, as he thought back to the pedestal his father had shown him. His old scars on his ankles seemed to simmer as he had reminisced about that time. Would there be a day where his own heritage would need to make a choice? Would they allow the hybrid dragonet to mark their name, or would they see it as disrespectful for something the dragonet had no control over.

The implications hurt his head as he pulled the coral back out. He was going a bit left to where the coral was pointing. Correcting his course quickly, he thought of who had made it. Turtle. The shy Seawing, who had been granted all the power in the world. Of the four animus dragons who currently existed, he had categorized them into a scale system of sorts. On the top of the list was Darkstalker. He used his magic freely, yet he held no regard for the consequences of his actions. That was the difference between him and Anemone. The most active animus on their side. She was frivolous, but she was also restrained. It was a part of her, so why reject a part of herself. He could understand that. And if it was true about how many enchantments she had made, he supposed that her system did appear to be working. She wasn't screaming for the end of the world yet. Next on his mental list was Turtle.

He paused. He thought about that for a while. Turtle was scared of his own power, even knowing that one of his older sisters had it, and she had used that same power to murder his sisters before they even hatched. He was afraid to use his power, afraid of what it would do to him. He was just one bad accident away from Stonemover. Bloodwalker had never met Stonemover on the island. In fact, he had just barely missed him. He had visited Stonemover once, and found the old animus to be pathetic and disturbing. His own flesh being stolen by his magic. He was a coward, but in a strange way, brave as well. He willingly gave up his ability to be normal to protect other dragons from himself. That required self sacrifice.

Bloodwalker found himself tumbling through his train of thoughts. Not much else when you are just flying in a straight line. Deathbringer had once made a remark about Stonemover. He said "That animus has both courage and cowardice. I'd prefer if he stayed that way.". He meant that as long as Stonemover was content with his situation, he was passive. And for a dragon with the power to warp reality, that was a small relief.

"Deathbringer." Bloodwalker mumbled to himself. Thoughts of his cousin suddenly stormed through his brain like the comet on the false brightest night. He'd known his cousin for all his life, yet never once did he doubt his cousin. Yet here he was, thinking, doubting. A part of him was screaming at him. "This is your cousin! You know him!". Yet there was a rational part of him that was yelling that Deathbringer's disappearance and subsequent reappearance was all too convenient. Or perhaps the word convenient wasn't right. More like a coincidence. Sure, him disappearing after Glory had tore him apart wasn't that much of a coincidence. But him and his father appearing right as Sobek escaped with Hailstorm? There is coincidence, and then there is fate.

He wondered briefly if Vision could have seen one on the off chance, but his mind quickly whirred back to the cult, though a sentimental part of him wanted to keep thinking about his dragonet. He gulped it down and resumed his mental analysis. Deathbringer had met his father. Soulseer. That part he believed. Jaw and facial structure matched up, and he did recall seeing a picture of Soulseer from his youth, though it was a bit foggy. Yet, when Soulseer mentioned Vulture, that was where doubts started to creep in. Vulture was involved in the cult. That much was obvious. From his acquisition of Jerboa, and prior dealings with the ancient animus, Vulture's connections to the delusional cabal of dragons were irrefutable. So where did that leave Deathbringer? Was he allied to Vulture without knowing the true face behind it? Was he blinded by his desire to know his father? Or…worse case scenario…he had become a…

"No! No.. I refuse to believe that. He wouldn't do that. I know him…..I…know…who Deathbringer is." Bloodwalker gasped out. Forcing him to repeat a small mantra. He wondered what Deathbringer was up to right now. Probably under surveillance while Glory and the others enacted their "plan" to get information out of them.

He had his doubts about Glory, and he suspected she wouldn't try to play a dragon's heart. After all, she had felt exactly what that was like with Deathbringer. However, now that he thought about it, would she do it, if only to get a sense of petty revenge and get info at the same time. He had made a deal with Glory that if he became her bodyguard, she would make steps to forgive Deathbringer for his mistake. If she broke him again, that wouldn't be honoring their deal.

Then there was the fact that was leaving him in the most confusion. Why wasn't he told of the plan? He hadn't been told of any sort of scheme or idea to get information out of his cousin and uncle. Yep, still awkward to think about. In fact, that one slip from Hope was all he had to go off from. Did they want to confide in eachother about it. If so, why not clue him in? He knew Deathbringer the best. Maybe he could have contributed so long as the plan wasn't hostile or potentially mentally tolling on his cousin. Or was it because of that same connection to his cousin that he was ousted from the group. Glory had sent him away, but was it just because of the bracelet, or did she not want him cluing his cousin in on what they were doing.

Did they not trust him?

He almost scoffed. While he and Glory had never been on the best of terms, she had known that Bloodwalker was a professional, and wouldn't compromise details based on personal feelings. He had even taken a knife into the lung for her. Saved her life during both the Rainforest attack and Sobek's intrusion. So why would she exclude him if not for that? Was it because of association with his cousin, but he had his own doubts about it, and it was leading his mind into a slew of circles and loops. He had to physically shake his head to reorient himself. He found that the coral was now pointing about 25 degrees to the right, which meant he was getting close. Swooping down under the canopy of trees, he transitioned to slowly hopping between the tree branches. Rainwings had evolutionarily adapted to hone this skill, and Loyalty had taught it to him in her own mischievous ways.

He then froze on a branch as he heard a few noises coming from below. Staying as still as possible, he looked down to see two Sandwings walking. They were unprofessionally walking. If he had to guess, some of Vulture's thugs.

"You sure that place is around here? I mean, come on?! How the fuck are we supposed to find this place?"

The second sandwing groaned, "Well if you hadn't sniffed that dumb rose, maybe we wouldn't be up to our necks in green. Eugh, I like the desert more."

Bloodwalker continued to listen. He drew a chakram. These two were dangerous, and he needed to be ready for-

"Excuse me, can I help you with something?"

Bloodwalker nearly lost his stance as a large female Nightwing walked out. She eyed the two Sandwings with apparent disdain.

"Well, it depends. You got one of these?"

A glint of gold passed Bloodwalker's eyes. One of the Sandwings was brandishing a bright gold pendant. It looked like a blob with two smaller ones coming out of it's sides at this distance and with the glint. The Nightwing nodded and showed them a near identical looking pendant.

"I see you two idiots are from Vulture's gang. Encampment is about 300 talons in that direction. Lucky I caught you two. Otherwise some of those untruthful, blinded souls may have found you and ruined everything."

"Allright, we get it. Bye." One of the Sandwings snorted and led his friend away by the arm. Bloodwalker looked back at the Nightwing, currently trying to identify who she was. His eyes then widened a touch as he recognised her. Her name was Singeclaw. Last he heard from her was that she was in the Skywing Kingdom acting as one of his contacts. If it wasn't obvious, jobs don't exactly come to your doorstep. So he had several of his associates, some of his friends and some former clients, act as proxies to direct anyone in need of someone of his profession. Bodyguarding that was. He didn't kill for contracts.

Bloodwalker knew she had not been involved with the cult the first time around, so he wondered why she was with them this time. He sheathed his chakram. She would attract attention if he wounded her, and killing her would be wrong. But what if she wasn't doing this willingly? He knew Singeclaw well. He doubted she would be a part of something like this cult. He decided to use the phrase that he used when speaking to her professionally.

"When an eagle soars high in the day?" Bloodwalker said, keeping himself hidden.

Almost like an automatic response, Singeclaw replied, "They will fall and become night's prey." She then shook her head. Now registering what she had heard and said. "B-Bloodwalker? Is that you?"

"Well first I am going to need some reassurance first. Drop any weapons you have. I'm not taking chances." Bloodwalker said, mimicking the voice throw trick that Sobek had once tried to use against him.

Singeclaw was well aware of who she was dealing with. So she dropped a satchel from around her neck. In it lay the golden insignia, which was an orb surrounded by a vulture's wings. In addition to that, there were some fruits and a single dagger. Bloodwalker came down from the tree, keeping his blood red eyes locked on her.

"Bloodwalker, why are you here?"

"Stop, I am the one who should be asking that question to you. Singeclaw. I haven't heard from you for 6 months, and now I find that you've joined the cult worshiping a self proclaimed deity? Honestly, I expected better of you." Bloodwalker cut her off. He drew a chakram in his front talon.

"Bloodwalker, y-you don't understand. The cult, its not a delusion. They have power, Bloodwalker. When they turn on the world, and they will, I do not want to be on the bad side of Lord Darkstalker's wrath." Singeclaw stuttered out. Her fear was very real.

"So why don't you help me prevent that from happening all together?" Bloodwalker asked, "Magnificent is a key piece in their plans. I am here to remove her from the equation. Now, do I have to kill you, or will you help me?"

In all honesty, he wasn't entirely sure if she refused if he would indeed kill her. Thankfully, after about a minute's thought, she turned back to Bloodwalker with a tired look in her eye, "Fine, I'll help you get in. But you have to promise not to kill me."

"Sounds fair. I'll meet with you at eleven tonight, this spot. Got that?". Singeclaw nodded and pointed the same way she had directed the two Sandwings.

Moving a bit faster, he moved between the trees in the same direction that she had pointed the two Sandwings in. He had to come to a heavy stop as the canopy fell away to reveal a clearing. Or at least a less dense part of the forest. There were several huts, clearly having been thrown together, or at least not had the aid of Mightyclaws' powers. They seemed structurally sound from what he could see, so this was clearly meant to be a long term base of operations.

Finding a rather large tree, he pulled out his map of the rainforest. By his guesstimates, he was somewhere in the further west of the main rainforest village. It was remote and well hidden. And, he noted, the Fiero Flower seemed to be a bit more abundant in this part of the forest. No doubt because of his target, who had used the flower on Glory as a form of torture.

When he had heard that, he was seething. From first hand experience, he knew just how painful the fire imitating plant could be, and how much suffering it could inflict. Pulling out the coral, it was almost pulling out of his hands. It pointed to a rather large hut, no doubt central command. "So the Queen gets an outpost all to herself. Fitting. He recalled Loyalty's stories about the other Queens. She had been up to date with most of the information in the forest. Magnificent had been a rather narcissistic annoyance growing up. She always wanted the prettiest flowers for her crown, though Fruit Bat only surpassed her because of her scent addiction. Magnificent must be a valuable asset to the cult because of her knowledge of the rainforest, so it served a function beyond just ego gratification. It was to keep her interests compliant with that of the cults.

At least now he knew for a fact where Magnificent was. The compass was pointing directly towards the central hut. It couldn't be wrong. The two Sandwings that he had tailed here were walking towards said hut. He couldn't hear what they were saying at this distance. Magnificent walked out of her hut by the two enforcer Sandwings. He saw her give a hiss, but after the Sandwing to the right said something along the lines of, "You wait when he tells you." Magnificent did not lose her composure, which surprised Bloodwalker. Of course it was only a facade. As soon as the two Sandwings had returned to the forest, she angrily went back to her hut and slammed the door.

From that brief interaction, Bloodwalker could understand that Magnificent had either agreed or been coerced into a position that Vulture was ahead of her in. Those ruffians were certainly no soldiers, and "he" could only mean Vulture. Which got Bloodwalker thinking. How old was Vulture getting? He had been old when Qibli had encountered him around a decade ago. He briefly wondered what would happen if Vulture somehow kicked the bucket. He assumed that his daughter, Cobra, would take over. Though she would definitely be much different. But on the mission at hand. Magnificent obviously meant something to the cult. That was good enough.

"Mark my words Magnificent. I will kill you…" Bloodwalker hissed to himself.

Whooo man! This chapter was on FIRRREEE. I was typing so fast, I could give Spencer Reid a run for his money. Good luck if you get that reference.