The following fanfiction takes place after the events of Silverwing and its sequel, Sunwing, by Kenneth Oppel. This fanfic is my version of Firewing by Kenneth Oppel. I know that I didn't write down my version of Sunwing, which was meant to take place after the TV series of Silverwing based on the book, but I thought it'd be interesting to have my fanfic, Dawnwing, take place after the events of Silverwing and Sunwing. With that said, I hope you enjoy reading this fanfiction.

Chapter 1: Life in the Jungle

Shade Silverwing gazed down at his young son, Griffin, who was curled up on his mother Marina's chest, his small wings twitching as he tried to keep himself awake.

"A long time ago," Shade began, his voice low and thoughtful, "when I was just a young Silverwing bat like you, I made a choice that would change everything. I decided to challenge the laws that had governed our kind for centuries. You see, according to our ancient history, there was a great war between birds and land-dwelling beasts, a battle over territory and power. The bats, being neither bird nor beast, stayed neutral. But this neutrality came at a cost—we were banished to the night, forbidden to see the sun."

Griffin blinked his large eyes, listening intently. "What did you do, Dad?"

Shade smiled, a flicker of mischief in his eyes. "I did what no bat was supposed to do. I flew up to see the sun. It was beautiful, but that one act caused terrible consequences. The owls saw it as an act of defiance, and violence broke out. Our home, Tree Haven, was burned down, and I was driven away from my colony."

Shade paused, his gaze distant as he recalled those dangerous days. "I was forced to survive on my own. It was a hard lesson, but I soon realized that I had a role to play in saving my home, my colony, and even our whole species. With the help of my friends, I fought against cannibal bats, wolves, and birds. Your mother, Marina, was with me through it all. Together, we earned the owls' trust and convinced them to let us fly both at night and during the day. We even defeated two dangerous bats—Goth and Throbb."

Griffin's eyes widened. "But it didn't end there, did it?"

Shade shook his head. "No, that was just the beginning. After Goth was defeated, I had to find my father, Cassiel. One year later, we discovered a strange human building with a massive forest inside. It was warm, full of food, and thousands of bats lived there. But the humans were taking some of them and we didn't know why."

"Was that when you and Mom went to the southern jungle?" Griffin asked, his voice soft.

"Yes," Shade replied. "It was a journey filled with danger. We were taken to the homeland of Goth, who had become king of the Vampyrum Spectrum—the most terrifying bats I've ever known. They were cannibals, huge, with wingspans three feet wide. Goth wanted to harness the dark powers of Cama Zotz, the demonic bat god. With help from our owl friend Orestes and the rat army led by General Cortez, we fought back. And in the end, I found my father and saved him. We stopped Goth from destroying the sun and using blood rituals to awaken Cama Zotz."

Griffin's voice was barely a whisper. "What happened after that?"

"After Goth's defeat," Shade said, "your grandmother, Ariel, became the leader of our colony. But our victory came at a price. The humans who had captured us kept us in this jungle, far from our true home. We couldn't return to the North, not yet. So, we built a new Tree Haven here, deep in the jungle. The owls, too, were forced to stay, though they found their own place to call home. Your mother and I became mates, and not long after, we had you."

Griffin looked up at his father, his voice full of hope. "Dad? Do you think we'll ever leave the jungle and go to the North, the place you've told me about?"

Shade's eyes softened. "Yes, my son. Someday we'll return to the North. We'll be safe, far away from the Vampyrum Spectral bats and the dangers here. But for now, we rest. Get some sleep, Griffin."

Griffin nestled against Marina, his small claws clinging tightly to her fur as his eyes finally closed. Shade watched as his son drifted off, his tiny chest rising and falling with the rhythm of sleep. The family hung upside-down together, their wings folded close, as the jungle settled into the stillness of night.

Shade gazed out into the darkness. The jungle was home for now, but the North still called to him. He promised himself that one day, they would fly beneath the stars of the Northern skies again.

ONE YEAR LATER...

The humid air of the jungle pressed in around Griffin Silverwing as he darted through the dense trees, his wings slicing effortlessly through the branches and undergrowth. He glanced to his left and saw his cousin, Luna Silverwing, flitting beside him, her silver fur shimmering in the shafts of moonlight that pierced through the canopy. The two bats had been racing for what felt like miles, weaving in and out of vines and enormous leaves. Griffin pumped his wings harder, pulling ahead, his heart racing with exhilaration.

"Catch me if you can, Luna!" Griffin called over his shoulder, his voice a teasing whisper in the night.

"Not fair! You've been practicing!" Luna shot back, though her tone was light and playful.

Griffin smiled to himself, pushing his speed until he felt the wind whipping harder against his face. He opened his mouth slightly, using his echolocation to scan the air for a meal. The soundwaves bounced back to him, revealing the quick flicker of an insect's wings. In a flash, he snatched the bug mid-flight, crunching it between his teeth.

"Got one!" Griffin boasted, circling back as Luna followed, catching her own insect with a snap of her jaws. The two cousins landed on a high branch, wings folded as they perched comfortably, enjoying the quiet buzz of the jungle below.

"You always win the races," Luna said with a smile, finishing her meal. "But I'll beat you one day."

Griffin grinned, wiping his mouth with the back of his wing. "We'll see about that."

They both grew quiet for a moment, resting as the jungle thrummed with life around them. Insects swarmed in the humid air, frogs croaked from nearby leaves, and somewhere far in the distance, the haunting call of a bird of prey echoed through the night.

Griffin gazed out into the endless stretch of trees, his mind drifting. "You know," he began, his voice softer now, "we've lived here our whole lives, but I can't help wondering what it would be like to fly in the North. Mom and Dad always talk about how different it is. Cooler air, endless skies... they say the insects up there taste better too." He sighed, his wings twitching restlessly. "I wish we could go there."

Luna, perched beside him, looked over with a hint of sadness in her eyes. "I know what you mean," she said quietly. "Our parents talk about the North all the time—how it's where we truly belong. But..." She paused, glancing away as if the truth was too heavy. "There's nothing we can do to go back, Griffin. We're stuck here. The humans... they made sure of that."

Griffin clenched his jaw, frustration bubbling up inside him. "But why does it have to be this way? I mean, we're Silverwings! We're supposed to be free, not trapped in some jungle. There has to be a way to leave, to fly back to where we came from." His voice grew more determined with each word, but even as he spoke, he felt the weight of the impossibility hanging in the air.

Luna sighed and shook her head, her silver fur shimmering faintly under the moonlight. "I don't think it's that simple, Griffin. It's not just about flying North. The humans, the Vampyrum Spectrum... they're still out there. Even if we could leave, there's no telling what dangers we'd face."

Griffin remained silent for a moment, his thoughts swirling like the winds that rustled the trees. He hated feeling powerless, tethered to a jungle that wasn't his true home. Yet, deep down, he knew Luna was right. The jungle was a prison for them, and the dangers beyond its borders were real.

"Maybe one day," Luna said softly, her voice tinged with hope. "Maybe things will change."

Griffin nodded, though the thought felt distant, like a dream just out of reach. "Maybe."

The two cousins fell into a thoughtful silence, watching the night unfold around them. The jungle, with all its wild beauty, was all they had ever known. But for Griffin, it had never felt like enough. He yearned for more—for the wide skies of the North that his parents spoke of in reverence, for the freedom that seemed so far beyond his grasp.

Before either of them could speak again, a voice echoed from above, cutting through the quiet. "Luna! Time to come home!" It was Selena, Luna's mother, calling from a nearby branch.

Luna stretched her wings and glanced at Griffin with a smile. "That's my cue. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah," Griffin replied, though his mind was still elsewhere. "See you tomorrow."

Luna flapped her wings and took off into the night, her figure quickly disappearing into the shadows of the trees. Griffin lingered on the branch for a moment longer, gazing out into the endless jungle, wondering if he'd ever see the North for himself.

"Griffin!" His father's voice rang out through the leaves, and Griffin quickly spread his wings, flying up to where his parents were waiting for him in their roost.

As he soared through the trees, his thoughts remained on the North, a distant land that felt both impossibly far and strangely close. One day, he promised himself. One day, he'll see it for real.

Griffin flew through the dense foliage, weaving between hanging vines and thick branches as he made his way back to his family. The jungle was alive with sounds—the chirping of insects, the distant howls of monkeys, and the occasional rustle of wings overhead. But for all its vibrant life, to Griffin, it felt confining. As he neared his family's roost, he slowed his pace, gliding silently into the shadows where his parents and grandparents rested, hanging upside down from the sturdy branches.

Shade Silverwing, his father, was the first to notice him. He raised his head slightly, his sharp eyes glinting in the dim light. "There you are," Shade said with a smile, his voice warm with affection. "I was beginning to wonder if you and Luna were planning to stay out all night."

Griffin flapped his wings to settle next to his father, Marina Brightwing, and his grandmother, Ariel, who was roosting nearby. His mother, Marina, gave him a nuzzle of greeting, her bright wings folding close to her body as she looked at him.

"How was your flight, Griffin?" she asked, her eyes kind and gentle.

"It was good," Griffin replied, though his thoughts were still elsewhere. "Luna and I were racing through the trees. I caught a few insects, but..." His voice trailed off as he gazed into the jungle, the distant stars barely visible through the thick canopy.

"You've been thinking about the North again, haven't you?" came a deep voice from above.

Griffin looked up to see his grandfather, Cassiel Silverwing, his old yet strong figure hanging a little higher on the branch. Cassiel's presence was commanding, even in his age. He had been through so much, yet his spirit was unbroken, his eyes full of wisdom.

Griffin nodded. "Yeah, I can't help it. I've never been there, but every time you all talk about it, it sounds like it's where we really belong. Not... here."

Shade exchanged a glance with Marina, then looked back at his son. "I know how you feel, Griffin," Shade said quietly. "We all miss the North. It's in our blood, our very instincts to return there when the seasons change. But things are... complicated now."

Griffin sighed, folding his wings close. "I just wish there was a way. The jungle doesn't feel like home, not to me."

"Believe me," Ariel Silverwing spoke up, her voice calm but firm, "we've been trying to find a way to return for years. Ever since the humans took us here, we've had to adapt, to survive. But we haven't given up. We're still a colony, and we'll always be together, no matter where we are." As the current leader of the Silverwing colony, Ariel's words carried weight, though they didn't fully ease the ache in Griffin's chest.

Cassiel, from his higher perch, nodded in agreement. "There are dangers beyond this jungle, Griffin—dangers we faced before, and they still lurk out there. Goth's forces may have been scattered, but the Vampyrum Spectrum bats, the humans, and the other creatures... they're all risks we must consider. We can't just fly back north without a plan."

Griffin knew his grandfather was right, but it didn't make the situation any easier. He had grown up hearing stories about the vast northern skies, about cool winds and endless stretches of forest, and every story made the jungle feel smaller.

Just then, a flurry of wings signaled the arrival of Luna, who flew in with her parents, Chinook and Selena Silverwing. Chinook, a large and powerful bat, landed next to Ariel, his muscular frame testament to years of survival in the jungle. Selena, graceful and calm, took her place beside him, folding her wings delicately.

"Looks like we're all here," Chinook said with a playful grin, glancing at Griffin. "Did you manage to keep up with Luna in the race?"

Griffin smiled faintly, shaking his head. "Barely. But I did catch the first insect."

"Of course you did," Selena said with a chuckle, her silver fur gleaming faintly. "You're your father's son, after all."

As the families settled together in the roost, the atmosphere grew peaceful. The jungle was quieting down, the nocturnal creatures retreating as dawn crept closer. Yet, despite the comfort of being surrounded by family, Griffin couldn't shake the feeling of longing. He looked at Luna, who was chatting with her parents, and caught her eye. For a moment, they shared a silent understanding—both of them had never known the North, but it lingered in their thoughts, always just out of reach.

"One day, we'll get there," Luna whispered quietly to Griffin, as if reading his thoughts. "We have to believe that."

Griffin nodded, though he wasn't sure if he truly believed it. Not yet.

"We've survived before," Shade said, his voice breaking the quiet moment. "We've faced worse odds, and we've always found a way to endure. Someday, we might find our way back to the North. But for now, we stay strong, we protect each other, and we keep hope alive."

The words hung in the air like a promise, echoing through the roost as the Silverwing bats prepared to rest. The jungle wasn't the North, but it was home for now. As Griffin folded his wings and prepared to sleep, he glanced once more at the stars barely visible through the canopy, letting the thought of the North lull him into a restless sleep.

And in the quiet of the jungle night, the colony of Silverwings hung together, bound by the ties of family, hope, and the unbreakable desire to return to the place where they truly belonged.

Meanwhile...

The ancient Mayan temple stood tall and ominous in the heart of the jungle, its stone walls worn by time but still radiating an air of dark power. High atop its crumbling spires, the Vampyrum Spectrum bats roosted in silence, their massive wings folded as they lurked within the shadows. At the temple's core, deep within a vast throne room draped in darkness, Goth Vampyrum sat brooding on his stone throne, his mind consumed by thoughts of revenge.

Goth's massive wings were folded around him like a dark cloak, his sharp light-yellowish-green eyes glinting as he stared into the abyss beyond the throne room. His mind wandered back to that fateful night so many years ago, when his grand plan had been undone by the very colony of bats he now loathed. Shade Silverwing and his pathetic allies had dared to stand against him, thwarting his attempts to harness the powers of Cama Zotz, the ancient demon bat god. The memory of that defeat gnawed at him like a festering wound.

He had been so close—so close to bringing eternal night, to make the sun a distant memory, and establishing his dominion over the skies. The blood sacrifice, the endless eclipse, the resurrection of Cama Zotz—all had been within his grasp. But then Shade had come, with his defiance and his so-called friends, and shattered everything. The temple had nearly been destroyed in the battle, the resurrection halted, and Goth's forces scattered. The Vampyrum Spectral bats had been forced to retreat into the darkest corners of the jungle, licking their wounds, waiting for the right moment to strike again.

And now, years later, that moment was approaching.

Goth's talons scratched the stone of his throne, his teeth bared in a silent snarl. He wanted nothing more than to sink his fangs into the throats of every Silverwing bat, to rip apart the rats who had fought alongside them, and to tear the owls from the sky. His hunger for revenge was insatiable, and it burned in him like an eternal fire.

The sound of leathery wings flapping softly behind him broke through his thoughts. He didn't need to turn to know who it was—his mate, Phoenix, approached from the shadows, her dark reddish magenta fur shimmering in the dim light of the temple's torches. She was the queen of the Vampyrum Spectrum, as ruthless and cunning as Goth himself, and together they ruled over the remnants of their scattered forces.

"Still brooding over the past, my king?" Phoenix's voice was smooth and dangerous, laced with venomous charm. She came to his side, her eyes glinting with a savage gleam. "You know we will find them eventually. The Silverwings, the rats, the owls... all of them. And when we do, we will have our revenge."

Goth remained silent for a moment, his mind still clouded with dark thoughts. Then he spoke, his voice a low growl. "I should have crushed them when I had the chance. But I will not make the same mistake again. This time, we will destroy them all. Every last one of them."

Phoenix smirked, her fangs flashing briefly in the flickering torchlight. "And when we do, we will finish what we started. Cama Zotz may have been thwarted once, but the darkness still stirs beneath the temple. We will resurrect him, and this time, nothing will stand in our way."

Goth's eyes flared with renewed determination. He knew the power that Cama Zotz offered—power beyond anything in the mortal world. If he could harness it, the sun would fall, and the night would reign eternal. But first, he needed to find the Silverwings. Their destruction would signal the rise of his reign, and then, the world would be plunged into darkness forever.

He turned to Phoenix, his gaze cold and calculating. "Bring our son to me," Goth commanded, his voice sharp and final.

Phoenix bowed her head and disappeared into the shadows, her wings silent as death.

Moments later, two towering Vampyrum Spectral guards entered the throne room. Morris and Ebony, their hulking forms looming large even for their kind, carried between them a smaller figure. Orpheus Vampyrum, Goth's only son and heir, hung limply in their grasp, his light-yellow-green eyes downcast and his posture meek.

Goth's eyes narrowed as he regarded his son. Orpheus was not like him—not like any of the Vampyrum Spectrum. He lacked the hunger, the ruthlessness, the instinct to hunt smaller bats that Goth had been raised to embrace. It was a disgrace, an insult to the royal bloodline. His son, his heir, refused to partake in the one thing that defined their species.

Orpheus stood before the throne, his eyes nervously flicking between his father and the guards who loomed behind him.

"You summoned me, Father?" Orpheus asked quietly, his voice trembling slightly despite his effort to sound calm.

Goth's gaze bore down on him, a silent judgment. "You are of age now, Orpheus," Goth said, his voice deep and menacing. "It is time for you to prove yourself, to show me that you are worthy of the crown you will one day inherit."

Orpheus flinched at his father's words. "But... I don't—"

"You will go on your first hunt tonight," Goth interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. "It is time you learn what it means to be a true Vampyrum Spectral bat. The weak fall, and the strong rise. You will join the hunt, and you will kill."

Orpheus's heart sank. He hated the thought of hunting smaller bats—he despised the taste, the violence, the cruelty of it. He had never been able to stomach it, much to the scorn of his father and the other Vampyrum. They called him soft, cursed, weak. But Orpheus knew deep down that he wasn't like them, that something in him resisted the darkness that clung to his family.

Phoenix returned, her eyes sharp as she regarded her son. "This is your destiny, Orpheus," she said, her voice like a blade. "We cannot have a king who refuses to lead his people. Tonight, you will prove yourself."

Goth nodded to Morris and Ebony. "You two will accompany him," Goth ordered. "Make sure he does not stray. And if he fails..." He left the threat hanging in the air, but the message was clear.

Orpheus swallowed hard, his wings trembling slightly. He didn't want this—he never had. But in the presence of his parents, in the shadow of the looming temple, he felt powerless to refuse.

Phoenix leaned in closer to Orpheus, her eyes gleaming with cold intensity. "Make no mistake, my son," she whispered, "you will become the bat you are meant to be, or you will not survive."

With that, Morris and Ebony escorted Orpheus out of the throne room, their massive forms casting long shadows behind them. As they took to the skies, the ancient jungle stretched before them, dark and full of the unknown.

For Orpheus, this night would mark the beginning of something he feared most—the first step into a darkness he had always resisted.

Griffin Silverwing soared through the warm jungle night, his wings slicing silently through the humid air. He was hunting for moths, letting his echolocation guide him through the dark labyrinth of trees. His instincts were sharp, his mind focused as he zeroed in on his prey, finally catching a plump moth mid-flight. Satisfied, he hovered briefly before settling under a tree, hanging upside down, his body swaying gently in the breeze.

As Griffin adjusted his grip on the branch, a familiar voice rang out from above him, full of playful energy. "Hey, Griffin! How's it hanging?"

Griffin looked up, spotting the vibrant green and red feathers of his friend, Tango, a thick-billed parrot with a knack for cracking jokes. The parrot was perched on a nearby branch, tilting his head in a mock-serious manner, but his beady eyes were twinkling with amusement.

Griffin grinned, his wings wrapping tighter around him. "Hanging pretty well, thanks! What about you, Tango? Crack any good nuts lately?"

Tango let out a squawking laugh. "Nuts? Oh, you know me—I crack jokes better than nuts! But yeah, had a good feast earlier. You should've seen me, Griffin, I was a blur of feathers and beak! The poor nuts didn't stand a chance."

Griffin chuckled, shaking his head. He had always enjoyed Tango's lighthearted nature. The parrot had a knack for making even the darkest nights in the jungle feel just a bit brighter.

"So," Griffin began, "how's Plátano doing? Haven't seen that monkey around for a while."

"Oh, Plátano?" Tango fluffed up his feathers, preparing for his next joke. "Well, he's gone bananas—literally! He just raided the human village again. You know how he is. Swung in, grabbed a bunch of bananas, and swung out before they could even blink. He was like a blur of fur and mischief. No humans caught him this time, but they sure looked confused!"

Griffin's ears perked up at the mention of the human village. He had always been curious about humans, ever since hearing stories from his parents about how dangerous they could be. But his curiosity was stronger than his fear. He had never seen a human up close and part of him wanted to.

"Humans, huh?" Griffin mused aloud, tilting his head in thought. "I've always wondered what they look like. What do they do? What's their village like?"

Tango's eyes widened, and he let out a low whistle. "Oh, buddy, you don't want to mess with humans. They've got weird things—like nets and cages. I've seen them catch animals before. They're big and loud, always stomping around, waving their weird hands everywhere."

Before Griffin could respond, a rustling of leaves above them caught his attention. Swinging down from the trees came their friend Plátano, a spider monkey with wild eyes and an even wilder grin, clutching a half-eaten banana in his hands.

"Speaking of bananas!" Tango exclaimed. "Here comes the monkey of the hour!"

Plátano swung from branch to branch with ease before landing in front of Griffin, still munching on his prize. He gave Tango a nod before turning his gaze to Griffin. "You talking about humans?" he asked through a mouthful of banana.

Griffin straightened himself, still hanging upside down. "Yeah, Tango was telling me about your trip to the human village. I've always wanted to see one for myself."

Plátano's smile faded, and his dark eyes grew serious. "Trust me, Griffin, you don't want to get too close. Humans are trouble. They've got these... things. Machines. They can trap you before you even realize what's happening. I was fast enough to avoid them, but not everyone's that lucky."

Griffin hesitated. "But what if I just... went to see? From a distance? I mean, how bad could it be?"

Plátano sighed, shaking his head as he sat down on a branch. "I know you're curious, Griffin, but curiosity can get you caught. The jungle's wild, sure, but at least we know it. Out there, in the human village, they play by different rules. If they catch you, you're not coming back."

Tango nodded in agreement, his usual playful demeanor gone. "Yeah, listen to the monkey. I've seen birds disappear into those villages and never return. We've got enough adventure right here in the jungle, don't you think?"

Griffin frowned but nodded reluctantly. He knew they were right, but his curiosity still gnawed at him. Maybe one day, he thought to himself. One day, he would see humans up close.

The three friends chatted for a while longer, swapping stories about their adventures in the jungle and joking about Tango's latest nut-cracking exploits. But soon, the night grew deeper, and Griffin knew it was time to return to Tree Haven.

"Alright, I better get going," Griffin said, spreading his wings. "Thanks for the company, guys."

"Anytime, Griffin!" Tango called after him, already hopping to another branch. "And remember—keep hanging in there!"

Griffin laughed and took off into the night, his wings carrying him swiftly through the jungle. As he neared Tree Haven, the familiar scent of home drifted toward him, but before he could land, a sudden flash of movement caught his eye.

"Whoa!" Griffin yelped as he collided mid-air with another bat, nearly sending him spiraling. He quickly regained his balance and looked up, only to find himself face-to-face with none other than Theresa Graywing.

Theresa blinked in surprise, then let out a soft laugh, her gray fur catching the moonlight in a way that made her look almost ethereal. "Griffin! What are you doing, flying around like that? You almost knocked me out of the sky!"

Griffin's heart skipped a beat as he straightened himself out, his wings folding nervously. "Sorry, Theresa! I didn't see you there."

She smiled, her eyes bright and full of curiosity. "It's alright. You're not usually this clumsy."

Griffin's wings twitched slightly as he tried to think of something clever to say, but all that came out was, "I was just... uh, thinking."

Theresa tilted her head, her expression softening. "About what?"

Griffin swallowed, feeling a bit tongue-tied. "The... uh, North. I've been wondering what it's like, since we've never been there."

Theresa's gaze lingered on him for a moment, her eyes thoughtful. "I think about it sometimes, too," she said quietly. "But we'll get there someday. My father says that your family and mine were meant to fly together up there, just like they did before all this happened."

Griffin nodded, grateful that she understood. "Yeah, I hope so."

Theresa smiled again, then fluttered her wings. "Well, I'll see you back at Tree Haven. Try not to crash into anyone else, okay?"

Griffin chuckled, feeling his nerves ease. "I'll do my best."

As Theresa flew off toward the colony, Griffin watched her go, his heart still racing slightly from the unexpected encounter. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts before heading back to Tree Haven himself. The night was full of mysteries, and for the first time in a while, he wasn't just thinking about the North.

There were other adventures waiting, right here in the jungle.