— Chapter 6 —
Luna took a deep breath, a talon pressing on her chest as she pressed her wings against her sides, her eyes constantly darting to the entrance of the cave they were in. Around her she could hear the heavy breathing and steps of everyone else in the cavern, with the whole group feeling clearly anxious.
After getting away from Cottonmouth's dragons and needing to leave Moon behind, they flew as fast as they could to Lake Scorpion, with Sundew's eyes spotting a cave opening that everyone had rushed into, before she covered it completely in vines and greenery, so expertly that it didn't even look as if something was behind it.
Besides the breathing and occasional steps, there was absolutely no talking for several minutes, but Luna did feel a talon nudge her at one point and she took it as a tell to check if anything was getting closer, so she was the closest to the concealed entrance, remaining still and feeling the air with her antennae, closing her eyes while hoping that no possessed dragon was coming right here.
At least something went right today, because she could feel a lot of movement about them, circling around the area of the lake, before they left. She made sure to wait until she could make sure nothing was nearby before turning to her invisible group as she now spoke to the air.
"They've all left, we're safe for now at least…" She said.
"Thank Clearsight; I don't know what we could have done if they still followed us here," Cricket's voice was heard, sighing in relief.
"Great, so that means it is safe to panic now?" Qibli's voice said. "So I say let's panic on the count of three, sounds good?"
"NO ONE WILL PANIC!" Tsunami exclaimed.
"I feel like it would be justifiable, because Moon got kidnapped!" Qibli replied in a non panicked tone.
"That sucks and I know, but it'll be very hard to do anything if we start panicking now! We need to think of a plan!" Tsunami replied.
"I've been thinking, and I actually don't know what to do," Qibli said in a frustrated tone, sounding disappointed. "This is all uncharted territory for me, I've had to face off against unlimited power, and yet I… Just don't know what to do here.."
"Hey," Pineapple's calm voice was heard now. "Take a deep breath, your voice is strained and you're not sounding well. Try to sit down, and I'm not saying relax, but at least calm down, and the thoughts and plans should flow better in your head, you're a smart dragon, and it does no good to anyone if you can't keep your head clear."
Luna could hear a sigh and a deep breath coming from the spot where the invisible Sandwing is at, and she really felt bad for him. Moon and Qibli looked really close to each other and like they were a nice couple, what Qibli must be feeling right now would be akin to what Luna would feel if Swordtail was taken in front of her eyes, although she probably would be far more visibly angry and ready to pick up a fight, while Qibli appeared to be holding himself better.
"I'm sorry Qibli, but I promise you that you'll see her again, and it'll be soon," Luna said, she couldn't say otherwise because it would be the same as telling him to give up, that there was no hope.
"You want a hug? Because I think I want to give you one if that could help!" Sky said, nicely as always as Luna heard him walking and stopping, then a surprised sound happened.
"Wrong dragon, I'm Lynx, not a Sandwing!" The Icewing's voice said.
"Oh, whoops! Well, maybe you needed one too so, all good, although I'll admit that this felt very cold," Sky said unwavering, which got a snort out of Qibli and some others.
"I'm over here, 5 steps to your left," Qibli replied, and Luna felt impressed at how he was able to just say something specific like that to a dragon he couldn't actually see.
Luna heard shifting and movement as Sky walked 5 steps, and then probably hugged the actual Sandwing as Qibli chuckled.
"Okay, thanks, that does help a little I'll admit," he said.
"You're welcome! I could get used to this, so if anyone else needs my services, feel free to ask," Sky said, probably smiling. And Luna felt like she would probably quite like a hug at some point, although she wasn't that desperate yet to literally ask someone else for one.
"Okay, now, Qibli? Listen to me," Tsunami's voice was heard again. "Ending with Moon captured basically the moment we arrived at Pantala is something that none of us could have expected, but let me tell you something. My friends and I got captured… A lot during our own adventures, like I actually cannot recall us going a full week without at least one of us getting taken. But we're still alive, we always got the odds in our favor and got away, it will be the same with Moon, we'll free her without a doubt."
"One second;" Lynx suddenly said. "This is a great pep talk, but with the way you're saying this, are you proposing that we just go to the enemy's territory to free her in a rescue mission?"
"Of course!" Tsunami roared in agreement. "We can't just leave her behind and risk possession!"
"But aren't we forgetting something?" Lynx replied. "The whole plan that we had ever since we left Pyrrhia: protect Wren and Sky, find the Pantalan humans, and learn about the "abyss" for the secret that might save us."
Luna heard Tsunami grumble, annoyed at the reminder. "Ugh, that's right…"
"And there's no way that Sky is going anywhere close to where the zombie dragons and the queen of these zombies reside! Absolutely not!" Wren's voice chimed in.
"But we cannot leave Moon in Wasp's grasp either," Qibli argued. "And besides, shall I remind you of a verse from the prophecy?"
"Please don't," Tsunami said with a huff, and got promptly ignored.
"Face a great evil with talons united or none of the tribes will survive," Qibli said, his tone turning more serious upon saying this. "All the queens agreed that it must mean to have all the dragon tribes working together to save the day, but how are we going to accomplish that without our Nightwing?"
"But at the same time, how will we do anything if we just basically give ourselves to Wasp and everyone is controlled?" Lynx retorted.
"But in turn, what if the breath of evil works on her and we deal with a… Mind controlled Moon?" Qibli said that last part with a tone akin to one would have after swallowing a lemon. "Forget Silkwing antennae, with her mind reading they can spot us from very far away even if we don't move. And what if she even has any prophecies or visions during that state?"
Luna immediately felt an intense feeling of dread after Qibli said these words, imagining how badly things could go if Moon was controlled made her shudder. The bad guys did not need mind reading or prophecies to help them EVEN MORE! They're ALREADY IN THE WINNING SIDE!
"But if the secret is meant to save us, either telling us about some weakness, or maybe it is a something or someone that can stop the breath of evil, wouldn't unveiling the secret also help Moon in that case?" Cricket added.
"How long is that going to take, though? We don't actually know where to start, first we need to hope that we find a human somewhere and soon, then to convince them to tell us more about the abyss and lead us there if they even know anything about it," Qibli retorted.
"So what's your idea?" Sundew asked. "I'm all in with something that would give a chance to bash Wasp's head in if she's close enough and it is safe, but I won't throw my life away only for your girlfriend."
"I… Am still in the making process of a plan, I would really appreciate it if you, Luna and Cricket could tell me more about the Hives, where Moon was taken, the locations, and such," Qibli said.
"If you have any questions, ask away and I'll help with whatever answers I can give you;" Cricket promised.
"Hold on, before we get into considering plans, that is still sidetracking the operation, even if some incredible plan is conceived, we'd be going exactly against the point of this stealth team: heading to a place where stealth is impossible and we won't get the important information," Lynx said.
", A vote in that case?" Bullfrog suddenly spoke for the first time since they entered the cave. "We need to agree as a group… We should hold a vote for something like this."
"Okay, that's reasonable," Qibli agreed.
"Oh this is kinda unnerving, such a big decision, and I have to make a choice? Sounds more like something a queen would have to deal with," Pineapple said, uncertain.
"Everyone getting a chance to voice what they want should always be the way to go, I agree," Cricket said.
"Whatever gets us into the next step faster," Sundew grumbled.
"A vote? That's always novel, and I like it," Lynx added.
"Make sure to take into account my vote too!" Wren said, and Sky made an affirmative sound.
"We ain't getting anywhere if we can't already agree on something like this," Luna nodded.
"Okay! We're doing a council meeting just like a few tribes do," Tsunami announced. "And this meeting's topic is this: do we try to make a plan to get into Wasp's territory and retrieve Moonwatcher, or we stick to the original plan of the prophecy and attempt to get clues from the abyss?"
There was silence for about 30 seconds, broken at times by some humming sounds and mumbling coming from the others, and Luna herself was in deep thought.
What even is the right choice here? Go into certain danger to save one dragon, or go into an unknown place where the result could be variable?
Eventually, Qibli talked first. "Well, my personal opinion I feel is rather obvious, but I was waiting to let you all think before I started to talk again. I vote for saving Moon."
"That is my vote as well, prophecies are clunky things that shouldn't define everything we do, at best they're hints for our lives. But to save a dragon? That's more physical and clear," Tsunami replied.
"I'm really sorry, but I will have to vote for sticking to the plan. Too much is at risk, the stakes are too high to put the entire team in danger to save one," Lynx answered.
"I feel the same," Cricket said in an apologetic tone. "We can't just storm or stealth into Wasp Hive and expect things to go perfectly. If the abyss can stop things in a more indirect manner, then Moon would be saved that way too.
"We… We need to stay safe… If we die, it would be really terrible…" Bullfrog muttered.
"Well, as I said I won't risk my life just for Qibli's girl, but when the other choice is just a big question mark, I want the path that might lead to my claws meeting Wasp's face," Sundew snarled.
"Stealth is what me and my tribe do best, and I would like to keep it that way, with the route that might ask for the least fighting," it was Pineapple's turn now to speak.
"I'd much rather talk to other humans and find some giant hole or cave or whatever that is than to willingly walk into a nest of zombies," Wren said.
"Wren, no matter what option is chosen, you and Sky are not going to these heavily populated places, even if the option to save Moon wins, we still have to follow that other part of the plan too, and we need you," Tsunami said.
"Oh," Wren replied. "I still stand by that, better if a bunch of you don't get mind controlled while Sky and I are just hanging back and hiding."
"I'll go with the opposite option that Wren is picking to be contrarian!" Sky said.
"What!?" Wren exclaimed.
"Kidding, kidding. Well… About the reason, but not about my vote, I don't want to agree on leaving one of our friends behind, that's not nice!" Sky added.
"But at the same time, you'd be agreeing on having another batch of friends head to danger," Wren replied.
"But at least they'd be willingly going there," the Skywing said. "When I got captured, you took a big risk to get into that desert palace, so why wouldn't we help someone else that got captured too now?"
"That was different! The circumstances are nothing like the current ones," the human replied.
"Woah, woah, you went into the Sandwing palace? Had no idea about that," Qibli suddenly said.
"Not the topic right now," Wren quickly answered.
Luna looked at everyone else, so far, the idea of hanging back and trying to find answers from the abyss was winning, and she was the last one that had to vote. So still feeling very unsure, she finally made her decision.
Moon is my friend, and the second dragon I've met in Pyrrhia. She helped me, talked to me and showed me the ropes. I have to help her back.
"I vote for saving Moon," Luna said.
"So we are… 5 vs 5. Seriously!? A tie? That literally brings us nowhere!" Tsunami complained.
"If only there just were one more dragon, we could get a tiebreaker," Qibli commented.
"So what are we going to do?" Luna asked.
"Maybe we could settle on some agreement that we can all agree on, given opinions are perfectly split?" Cricket proposed.
"Hmm, lemme think about an idea," Qibli said in a thoughtful tone, remaining silent for 5 seconds before making a sound. "Got it! I have an idea that might satisfy both sides."
"Well, let's hear it in that case," Tsunami replied.
"How about Wren and Sky stay in these caves alongside one or two dragons to search for humans and look for clues, while the rest attempt a rescue mission?" Qibli said. "Realistically, how much good is it gonna do to have 10 dragons in these caverns while we're looking for humans? Most likely they'd be in passageways that we couldn't really fit through."
"You're saying we should split up? Would that be safe?" Lynx asked.
"To be honest, I don't know if there's a whole lot of "safety" in this continent so far," Qibli replied. "But at least Wren and Sky, and whoever stays back here to guard them should be "safer" for longer and might even be able to carry through the mission with the abyss while the others get back our missing member."
After a minute of considering his words, there ended up being some general mumbling of agreement, with Luna joining in.
"I guess that not just completely forgetting the mission and still doing something should be good," Lynx said.
"Okay, you got others agreeing with having a rescue party for Moon, so what will be the plan?" Sundew asked.
"As I said before, I'd like some help from you three, like pinpointing the Hives on the map, telling some details about Wasp's place, anything that might be useful," Qibli replied.
Luna stepped closer to the spot where she heard Qibli's voice come from, and she felt Sundew and Cricket's steps as they got nearer as well. And then the map appeared visible on the ground alongside an inkpot.
So, Luna wanted to help more with this particular part, but she had never really bothered much to learn about geography back at school, because for what purpose would she? Either she was going to stay all of her life at Cicada Hive, or if she ended up being moved, she would end on just one different Hive, so learning where they all are and the small details didn't have much point nor stick to her mind. (Now she wished she was at least a slightly better student, even if nowhere as good as Blue.)
And that meant that at the end, Cricket did most of the work, pinpointing exactly where every Hive was on the map, and focused on giving details about what she'd seen at Wasp Hive.
"Hm… So Moon must have been taken to Wasp Hive, which appears to be sandwiched between these other two, which is not good," Qibli said in thought. "Even if we get past Jewel Hive undetected, the moment we're found she could summon all dragons from these nearby hives upon us in a short time."
"And even if we get to Wasp Hive undetected, what's your plan? How are we dealing with all the Silkwings that can just immediately find us?" Sundew questioned.
"Yeah, that's the hard part," Qibli admitted. "There's just so many that stealthily reaching her palace is basically impossible as long as Wasp is looking for us. And a direct assault cannot be done by eight or nine dragons, we just don't have that much firepower."
Qibli's words sparked something within Luna's mind, a thought that suddenly crossed her head, an idea that was kinda crazy, and she didn't even quite fully like, but one that might just work out?
"Firepower?" Luna said, looking to the spot where the invisible Sandwing is standing. "What if I could get us some of that?"
"Oh? Please do tell, because more firepower is always fun," Qibli requested.
"Well, there's about… 10 Flamesilks in the same Hive we're trying to get to. What if I managed to sneak over there and-?"
"And what? Convince a bunch of old dragons to fight for our cause?" Sundew cut her off. "I remember when we had to save you and your brother from that place, the most powerful tool in Pantala, and they just let themselves remain prisoners. And also didn't your own father try to snitch on you during the escape?"
Luna winced at the reminder. Her first meeting with her actual dad was… Not good for the very few hours she got to spend with him, and thinking about it made her shudder slightly. His loyalty was crazy, and he was basically so brainwashed by Wasp, that she probably didn't even need the actual brainwashing.
"I know, I know… But you just said it yourself, they have the strongest tool in Pantala. Unlike in Pyrrhia where like… Half of the tribes can burn things down to a crisp? Fire here is a rare, big, powerful deal and Wasp knows it. So if her own Flamesilks actually stood up against her, ready to burn down her regime, then maybe even the queen can feel fear," Luna said.
"Hm, even if not all 10 joined us, the extra number and the possible mayhem that they could cause might just let us do something," Qibli said in thought. "You told us that there's like five types of your cool burning silk, right?"
"Yeah, 3 types that don't burn, and 2 that do, and one of these two is like INSANELY hot, not like an "Ouch! It burns!" but more like an "AAAGH IT'S MELTING!" Luna confirmed.
"Sounds similar to a dragon I know," Qibli said with an amused tone. "Now that I think about it, maybe we should have invited her…"
"Absolutely not," Tsunami's voice quickly refused.
"Aaaanyway," Qibli continued on. "That does sound very promising, and even hotter than something like my own fire, so if we let loose some Flamesilk, then Wasp would truly have her talons full."
"But how are we going to get to Wasp Hive, bring Luna to the other Flamesilks, and then rescue Moon without being swarmed by at least one hundred dragons?" Tsunami asked.
"We'd need something to divert her attention a lot, a distraction," Qibli pondered. "If we could focus her eyes on something else, then we just might deal with less invisibility detectors and be able to sneak somewhere."
"And I suppose that you got some masterful distraction in mind that even Queen Wasp would fall for it?" Sundew said.
"I've just been getting a few more possible ideas that we could follow, and the best one I've had so far has potential, although I feel like most of us won't like it," Qibli said.
"In that case tell us now so we can honestly complain about how bad the plan is," Tsunami said.
"Alright! Here everybody, this is the plan: Wren and Sky will hang back in this cave alongside like two other dragons, then the rest of us try to get as close to Wasp Hive as we can, and when we're at the right spot but still a distance away… Me and somebody else from Pyrrhia for support will give ourselves as bait to hopefully be led to Wasp's palace, then another small group goes to free the Flamesilks."
"And after that, we'd spring into action."