Darkstalker Rising

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Darkstalker Rising.jpg
==Darkstalker Rising AU==
Written By: Isis The Masked Dragon
Edited by: Sarahyasmine
Cover Art By: ClassyHeadbanger 
Preface: 
This isn't going to be a story like any you have ever read before. This isn't the kind of story where the good guys win. This isn't the kind of story where there's any sort of happy ending. This is Darkstalker Rising.
Act One:
 
"My victims are rich or poor young or old, strong or weak. I speak not the truth, I am insidious. I bring poverty, sickness, and death. More than evil, I laugh at your trust. More powerful than all the armies of the world. I have killed more than all of nature's wars, more evil than violence, more violent then death. More deadly than any dragon ever. "Prince of Darkness," I like the way that sounds… My kingdom will be born of the dead. I'm unstoppable and immortal. I will consume your soul and feed upon your greed and lust."
Darkstalker:
"There." Peril said "That solves that problem." Now nothing can set Darkstalker free, and no one can abuse his power. She lifted her head to the rising moon, taking a deep tranquil breath. Wait. Why was the moon wobbling? But it wasn't the moon. It was the ground...
An enormous crack tore open the ground, and out of the inky blackness rose a gigantic dragon. Shiny black with pale silver scales glittered behind his eyes and under his wings; he was lithe and frighteningly thin with a narrow handsome face, long twisting horns and cold dead shark like eyes, darker then the deepest, blackest of caves, glittering with malice and hate. 
"Ah...Thanks for that, nice to finally meet you Peril, to meet all of you." he said, his unsettling eyes flicking up and down surveying each dragonet. A crooked grin crept across his face. "Yes, how very nice to meet each and every one of you."
Peril roared furiously and threw herself at Darkstalker, claws outstretched and flames blazing in her mouth.
"Peril!" Moonwatcher shrieked as fire engulfed his face. "Why must you make things so much harder Moonwatcher?" he thought. Things would be soooo much easier if I could just kill your stupid little friends. Darkstalker waved away the smoke. He snatched Peril out of the air holding her at arm's length while she struggled and fought. "Brave, but ultimately useless." Darkstalker shook Peril slightly. "There's nothing you can do to me, little Firescales. Settle down and let's talk." Darkstalker set Peril down on the ground; but not before he enchanted her to obey his every command. She would become a valuable asset later on. Peril fell back, breathing heavily. Darkstalker nodded and looked at Moon. He could hear the minds of her little friends freaking out over him. He could still sense the green Fathom-like SeaWing even though he was trying to hide, and then he disappeared completely. The NightWing's brow furrowed for a second. "Moon, do you mind asking your SeaWing friend to stop hiding from me? I'm not going to hurt him." Not going to hurt him yet… So he's an animus. That makes two SeaWing animus dragons to, be taken care of… Everyone glanced at the spot that the green SeaWing and been standing. Moon nodded towards the spot and the SeaWing reappeared. "Thank-you." Darkstalker snapped his claws, causing the SeaWing to jump. A small stick flew into Darkstalker's talons. "You know Turtle, it hurts my feelings that you would feel the need to hide from me." Darkstalker snapped the stick in half. Turtle cringed at the crack of the twig. "Sleep." Darkstalker said, and everyone but Turtle collapsed to the ground.
"W-What did you do to them!?" He said, voice trembling. Darkstalker shrugged.
"Nothing that they won't recover from, or remember." The giant NightWing's gaze bored into the green SeaWing. "I know what you are Turtle… I also know what your little sister is." Turtle shook his head.
"I don't know what you're talking about!"
"Oh I think you do Turtle." Darkstalker set a claw on top of Turtle's head. The SeaWing was too afraid to move. Darkstalker mumbled something and moved his claw.
"W-What did you do?" Turtle asked.
"I took away your power. I couldn't just let you keep it, you might try to use it against me or try to hide again. And that simply wouldn't do." Turtle shook his head.
"I would never--" Darkstalker cut him off.
"You would have. I've seen it. I can't let that happen." Turtle was shaking his head
"I wouldn't, I-I promise!" Darkstalker grinned.
"Maybe not now, but you would." He paused. "Question now is what do I do with you? I can't kill you because you're Moonwatcher's 'friend.'" Darkstalker spat the word friends with distain. "I can't read your mind but I can tell you... There are quite a few things I can do."
"Wh-What kind of things?" Turtle said shakily.
"Things such as erasing everyone's memory of you. Or maybe putting you under my control…" Now that was an idea. He might even be able to give the SeaWing back his power that way. Turtle started backing away from Darkstalker. Darkstalker pointed at him and said "Stop." Turtle froze. "Turtle, you are now under my control. Your will is mine to command." Turtle's eyes were huge and he was trembling and shaking his head.
"No, no I'm not...I can't be!" Darkstalker grinned devilishly.
"Stop talking." Turtle opened his mouth then closed it, then opened it again, clutching his throat in panic. "Now, I'm going to let you talk again, but you will not speak about losing your power, or about this conversation ever happening again." Turtle nodded and Darkstalker smiled. "You may talk now." Turtle sighed. "Good." Darkstalker waved his claws over the other dragonets. "Awaken." Around him the dragonets got up and looked at Darkstalker. Darkstalker grinned again. "As I was saying Turtle, I'm hurt that you felt the need to hide from me."
"I'm sorry, I was just afraid." Turtle said. Darkstalker nodded
"Completely understandable and I forgive you." He grinned "Now, come. Show me your world." It wasn't a request. Moon nodded and she and her friends all took off and headed for Jade Mountain. Darkstalker watched them for a second before destroying the little skyfire rocks hidden in their pouches, opening their minds up to him. Nobody gets to have secrets, he thought. Except me of course. Darkstalker spread his giant wings and began to follow the dragonets. 
They reached Jade Mountain soon enough and, as expected, the moment Darkstalker touched down on the stone he could feel everyone's brains explode, freaking out over the massive NightWing sitting outside their school. 
"This is Jade Mountain." Moon said.
Darkstalker frowned. "It's much smaller than I expected." he said. They were standing outside what appeared to be a giant meeting hall, and Darkstalker assumed a meeting must have been going one. Or had until he arrived. 
"Moon! What's going on, who is this guy?" Three dragons were approaching; a SeaWing, SandWing and a MudWing. This is getting boring. Darkstalker thought. May as well kill two birds with one stone. He was really getting tired of being with Moon and her friends. Everyone was so afraid of him, it was annoying; and he wasn't here to be friends with anybody. He was a God! Time to start acting like one. They were right to fear him. "Peril!" He said. The SkyWing turned to look at Darkstalker. "Kill everyone in Jade Mountain but the NightWings, starting with him." He said pointing at Turtle.
"What!? No, never!" Peril shouted, but she was moving anyway. Turtle was too stunned to move as Peril touched him. He didn’t scream as he died. Upsetting, but Darkstalker couldn't really do anything about it. Peril looked at her claws, then at Darkstalker, then at Turtle's twisted, blackened corpse. "No," she whispered.
"Oh yes!!!" Darkstalker shouted. "Kill! Kill them all! Leave no survivors!! As for you three…" He pointed at Moon, Qibli, and Winter. "You're coming with me." They all disappeared. Darkstalker left Jade Mountain and left Peril to do his killing. 
Darkstalker was headed to the Rainforest. He couldn't care less about his tribe, or about ruling it, but it's always a good idea to have some disposable servants. Once he'd found them, Darkstalker landed in the center of their little town. Hmmm. Expected that there'd be more of them. "My fellow NightWings, I have a proposal for you." He announced in his deep, commanding voice. As expected, the NightWings freaked out, but not as much as everyone at Jade Mountain had. I've got to put an end to this. "Shut up and stop moving." Everyone froze. "Excellent. Now listen up. My name is Darkstalker and I have come to offer you something. I'm offering you life. Major things are happening in this world, and you would be wise to be on the side of the one causing them. You all might even live for a little while, before I eventually kill you." It still very well might happen. "This way your lives are slightly more assured." 
"Why would we ever want to join you?!" A very brave NightWing shouted. "All we know about you is that you killed a lot of dragons, including NightWings."
"Yeah! And we like Queen Glory!" Darkstalker frowned. 
"While I can't change the way you think of me." I could but where is the fun in that. "I can remove this Glory character from the picture." Suddenly twin walls of flames, tall as the treetops and stretching for miles sprang from nowhere. "I think you all know what happens next." Darkstalker grinned and the walls of flames sped through the forests at frightening speed, burning away anything and everything that wasn't a NightWing. It took only seconds before the entire rainforest was gone, reduced to embers and ashes. "Where's your queen now?!!" Darkstalker roared. The other NightWings stared around in horror at the desolate wasteland that had once been their home. Darkstalker looked around too. He'd done a really good job, there was nothing left. And he had found a few more NightWings! He brought them back to join the larger group. "So." Darkstalker said. "Do you still wish to stay here, or do you want to come with me and be a real tribe again? One with power, and one with me?" There were murmurs of agreement around the clearing. Almost everyone agreed. "Excellent." Darkstalker pointed towards two dragons at random. A large evil looking brute and one with scars across his neck and face. "You two are now captains of my new army/guard." He then pointed at one other NightWing. "And you get to torture things. The rest of you don't matter and will fill out the rest of the positions needed to run a kingdom. I don't really care, I have better things to do." Darkstalker spread his wings. "Go to what was once Jade Mountain and wait for more orders." Darkstalker took off into the sky. I think that went well. I destroyed and entire tribe. And I can think of another tribe that needs destroying. Darkstalker's face twisted into a grin. Destruction indeed... 
Once he'd reached Jade Mountain Darkstalker was pleased to note that not a single dragon was still alive. Peril is a very effective tool. He mused. But she does take all the fun out of killing. Since he had never specified that Peril should stick around after she killed everybody she could be anywhere. Didn't matter though. "Let's make this place a little more...me." Darkstalker said. He set his talons on one of the mountain sides for a second, then stepped back. The mountain fell apart, then morphed and changed, transforming into a missive fortress made of a dark stone. "Perfect." Darkstalker said once the ground had stopped rumbling. He entered his new palace and headed for the throne room. The ceilings were tall enough for him to move through the halls conformably. Once he was in the throne room, Darkstalker snapped his talons and Moon, Winter and Qibli appeared. 
"Where are we?" Moon asked. 
"Welcome to my palace!!" Darkstalker leered down at Moonwatcher and her friends. "I think you're going to just love it here." The giant NightWing started to cackle, a dry dark laugh. The kind from deep within nightmares. "Lets have some fun shall we?!" 
Moonwatcher:
"Lets have some fun shall we?!" Moon shivered at his words. "But first there are a few things that need to be take care of." Darkstalker pointed at Qibli. "You're much too dangerous to be left alive Qibli."
"What are you talking about? I'm not dangerous!" Qibli protested. Darkstalker chuckled.
"Ah...That's what Turtle said too." The gigantic NightWing made a twisting motion with his claws and Qibli's neck snapped with a hollow crack, the SandWing's face frozen in a mask of confusion and terror. Moon screamed, and Winter stared at the corpse in horror.
"Now for you two…" Darkstalker snapped his talons and a thick black collar attached to a long chain materialized around Winter's neck. "I don't like you much." Darkstalker said to him. "And I can see from your thoughts that your dignity is quite important to you, so" He gestured towards the collar as Winter tried furiously to get it off. "I'll just take it away from you. Don't bother struggling or trying to get it off, it's indestructible and you'll just end up chocking yourself to death. And that would be boring. I so do hate it when things are boring." Then he turned too Moon. "You on the other talon, I quite like, and find quite interesting." He waved his talon and Moon found herself trapped in a cage hanging from the ceiling. As soon as she was in the cage the world became dark and quiet. She realized her powers didn't work anymore.
"What did you do!?" Moon shouted as Darkstalker came to stand in front of the cage. Moon shrank back away from the bars.
"Skyfire." He said, grinning. "Since I don't want to kill you, I thought it would be best for you to stay here to... Think." Darkstalker turned away from the cage and pulling Winter along with him, left the throne room, leaving Moon alone in total silence.
Winter: 
Winter fought furiously to remove the collar from around his neck...but it was to no use, it was too tight. He was barely able to keep from choking as Darkstalker dragged him out of the throne room and away from Moon, down the winding halls and out of the palace. Darkstalker stalker spread his wings and leapt into the sky, dragging Winter with him. Winter was having a hard time processing everything that had occurred over the past few hours. The dragon of nightmares appeared and killed all his friends, imprisoned Moon and was now taking him moons knows where. Plus Darkstalker flew so fast, it was a miracle that Winter was keeping up. He looked down and gasped. They were flying over the desert, and then through the mountains on the other side. Winter's heart leapt as he recognized those mountains. They were at the edge of the Ice Kingdom. Winter felt dread welling up inside him. Surely the great ice cliff would stop him? Winter hoped. The landscape transitioned from rock to snow and ice. Winter saw the cliff ahead and any hope that he had for the cliff stopping Darkstalker were shattered as they flew right over. "You forget, I'm half IceWing." Darkstalker said turning to look a Winter grinning. In minutes they reached the palace. Any IceWing towns or settlements that they passed Darkstalker wiped off the face of the earth with mountains of flames. Winter watched his tribemates screaming and burning, their scales melting together and to the snow. Darkstalker disintegrated the outer gates and stepped into the palace courtyard with the Gift of Light. A few guards rushed at them, but Darkstalker waved his talon and they disappeared. Briefly he stared at the carved ice tree before setting it alight. Winter couldn't look away as his tribe's most sacred object was consumed by ravaging flames. Entering the palace proper they met more resistance, but Darkstalker dispatched them with ease in a veriaty of horrifying ways. It didn't take much time before Darkstalker found the throne room and the dragons residing inside: the queen of the IceWings, Glacier, and her daughter Snowfall. Winter's parents and siblings too. And lots of guards. Darkstalker bowed slightly. "Your Majesty." He said jokingly.
"Darkstalker." Glacier said, her voice as hard as ice.
"You and your tribe have committed many crimes against my tribe and I'm here to punish you for them." Darkstalker said. "You'll come with me back to my palace for punishment and later execution." Winter tried not to meet the judging eyes of his family as Glacier spoke.
"I will do nothing Darkstalker. You come and threaten me, in my palace. What made you think that I would ever agree to anything you say?" She motioned at the guards and they began moving closer.
"I thought you might say that." Darkstalker said. Suddenly the guards, Winter's parents and the Queen began trembling and choking, blue-hued blood oozing from behind their eyes and from their ears and mouths. With an audible snap they all collapsed, blood pooling on the floor. Darkstalker turned to Snowfall. "I believe you're the queen now. I trust that you'll be more agreeable?" Snowfall nodded. 
"We will do as you say," She said quietly. 
"Excellent." Darkstalker said. Winter couldn't take his eyes off the corpses of his parents. Of his queen. What had Darkstalker done? And why was there so much blood? "Follow me." Darkstalker said and he jerked the chain, jolting Winter back into motion. "This is just the beginning." He whispered to Winter. "It's going to get far, far worse for you from here." Then he grinned. 
Once they had returned to Darkstalker's palace he took the IceWing prisoners down to the dungeons. They were dark and wet, the walls made of the same rough dark stone as the rest of the palace. Winter hated it down there. "Every day I want you to torture these dragons." he said to a thick set NightWing. "I don't care what you do, just don't kill them...yet." The NightWing bowed.
"Yes Emperor Darkstalker." 
"And you." Darkstalker said turning to Winter. "You get the pleasure of sitting here and watching it happen." Seeing the look of fear in Winter's eyes Darkstalker grinned. Then Winter's sister started screaming. Long burns crisscrossed her body and face and they kept spreading, burning her alive. Her screams were horrible. Long and wailing. Winter felt tears pricking at his eyes. Darkstalker left the dungeon and left Winter to hear their screams.
Moonwatcher:
It was so quiet in the cage. Moon could barely hear the soft crackle of the torches illuminating the room. It was suffocatingly quiet. Moon wished for anything that could break the silence, to keep her from dwelling on her fears. As if he was summoned, Darkstalker entered the room, a grin plastered across his face. "How are we doing Moon?" He asked, halting just in front of her cage. Moon didn't say anything. "No matter. I've given you plenty of time to think, so I'm going to ask you again; why not just join me? You could rule the NightWings if you wanted. I can give you anything you could ever want." A sly look crossed his face. "I could even give you that IceWing." 
"Winter? Where is he, is he okay?" Moon asked.
"He's down in the dungeon watching his family tortured, but that doesn't matter. I know you have feelings for him and that he has feelings for you. Wouldn't that make you happy to be with him?" Moon would never say it to his face, but being with Winter would make Moon very happy. But she would never willingly give in to Darkstalker. 
"I will never join you Darkstalker. Never." Moon said and Darkstalker sighed and turned away.
"I'm sorry you feel that way. But spend enough time trapped in that little cage and you'll soon change your mind." He turned back to look at Moon, his unsettling eyes boring into her. Over Darkstalker's shoulder Moon watched a messenger walk in.
"Your majesty," He started, his voice shaking. "The SkyWings refused to join you. So did the SandWings, SeaWings and MudWings." What did he mean by join? What was Darkstalker doing? Upon hearing this, Darkstalker's face twisted in rage for a moment, but then he smiled. Suddenly the messenger began shaking and trembling, then he exploded, coating the walls and floor with brains and blood. Moon was horrified. What had Darkstalker just done? Darkstalker turned to admire his handiwork. 
"Not bad." he said casually. "Looks like I have to pay a visit to another tribe. Why not the SeaWings?" Then with one last look at Moon he left the throne room. Moon wrapped her wings around herself and started to cry. She had done this to Pyrrhia. She had released a monster, and there was nothing she could do to fix it.
Darkstalker:
Darkstalker flew across the continent towards the ocean. The other tribes are really, really going to regret rejecting my offer, he thought. I never really expected them to anyway, and it makes things soooo much more fun and interesting. Darkstalker had enchanted his wings to take him directly over the SeaWings deep palace. He would never forgive the SeaWings for Fathom and what he'd done. 
Magic always made things faster, and soon enough Darkstalker was hovering over the SeaWing deep palace. There were a few things that could be done, but burning the Rainforest down had given Darkstalker an idea. He put his talons together and then pulled them apart, pulling the water around the palace away creating a trench of air in-between the water. And stay there. Already SeaWings were spilling out of the palace to see what was going on. This is where the fun begins. Darkstalker dove down and smashed into the palace, sending coral and dragons flying. He grabbed the nearest dragon and ripped him in half, blood spraying everywhere, his dying scream a high pitched wail. Who says I need magic for this?! Darkstalker whirled around looking for his next victim, a blue green one. This is waayy more fun! Darkstalker leapt at him slashing at his face, practically taking it off. I truly am a god.
Winter:
Hours passed. Or was it days? Winter had no concept of time down in the dungeon. All he knew was pain. Worse than any wound. The constant screaming. The constant unbearable pain that he was forced to witness. Many times he broke down crying, unable to bear their suffering. To bear witness to their torture. It was as much torture for Winter as it was for them. Finally he could take it no more; Winter cried out, begging to be freed. To be saved from the pain. Mercifully, the NightWing hurting his family agreed and released Winter. The collar remained around his neck but he no longer had to stay and watch. Winter ran through the dark halls, desperately trying to find Moon. He needed to find Moon. She could make it better. She could reassure him and her words would repair his shattered psyche. Finally after many hours of searching he found the throne room. Found Moon. He was so happy. Everything will be okay now. She would protect him, keep him from returning to the dungeon and to the screams. "Moon! Moon are you there!? Are you awake?" Silence. "Moon?" It didn't matter. She was there Winter could feel it. Everything was alright now. She would save him from the dungeons. "He killed them Moon! He killed the IceWings! He broke their brains Moon. He killed everyone and I couldn't do anything about it. HE BROKE THEIR BRAINS, T-THERE WAS SO MUCH BLOOD!!!!!!" Everything was spilling out of him now. No more screaming. "He made me watch! He made me watch them be tortured. They screamed so much. He burned them. Cut them. There was so much blood. So much screaming!" Winter could feel his mind falling apart. Hours of enduring so much mental pain. There was nothing left of him. Nothing left to lose. "Moon, I love you. I love you so much, I want to spend all my time with you and make you happy...." Winter trailed off then he said. "I'm sorry." 
Moonwatcher:
Moon sat in silence thinking. What was she to do now. If she kept refusing Darkstalker she knew the darkness and the silence would kill her long before Darkstalker would. But if she agreed to join him she would become just as bad as him. She was certain of this. Suddenly she heard running talon steps and then a shout. "Moon!" then another. "Moon are you there!? Are you awake?" It was Winter! She wanted to say something to reassure him that she was there, but she didn't. Something kept her from doing so. "He killed them Moon! He killed the IceWings! He broke their brains Moon. He killed everyone and I couldn't do anything about it." Winter said. "HE BROKE THEIR BRAINS THERE WAS SO MUCH BLOOD!!!!!!" His voice grew higher pitched and more frantic. "He made me watch! He made me watch them be tortured. They screamed so much... He burned them. Cut them. There was so much blood. So much screaming!" Moon was horrified. Darkstalker just kept getting worse. Winter was quiet for a long time, and then said "Moon, I love you. I love you so much, I want to spend all my time with you and make you happy...." Moon desperately wanted to tell him that she felt the same way. "I'm sorry." He whispered. Moon made a choice. She would join Darkstalker. She would to save Winter. No mater what happened. What Darkstalker did to her Winter, she would be there too.
Act Two:
Darkstalker:
The SeaWings were dealt with. Very few survived. Darkstalker had to admit that it was very liberating to rip a dragon limb from limb or to remove their spine without magic. He would defiantly be doing it more often. The flight back to the fortress gave Darkstalker some time to think. I can't just go to every kingdom and just kill everybody there. Things aren't fun anymore of you do them too often. I have to come up with a better way to get dragons to join my empire. Suddenly Darkstalker had an brilliant idea. All it would require is a little bit of magical persuasion, and dragon nature would do the rest. It was genius. 
Once he's returned to the palace Darkstalker headed strait for the throne room, he wanted to talk to Moon. "Hello there Moon." He said. Silence. "You know you really don't have to be like this. What happened to the conversations we used to have?"
"You mean before you murdered my friends and wiped out entire tribes?" 
"Yeah." Darkstalker said. How did Moon know about him destroying tribes? He shook himself. "Doesn't matter. Have you thought about my offer at all?" Surprisingly Moon said that she had. Taken aback but pleased, Darkstalker said "That's great! I'm-" But Moon cut him off. 
"I want you to leave Winter alone. No more hurting his family, no more hurting him." Darkstalker didn't like that. 
"You couldn't stop me. I'm going to do whatever I want with him, but for now I suppose that I won't do anything." For now might not be that long...
"Thank you." Moon said. "Does this mean that you'll let me out of the cage?" Darkstalker nodded and snapped his claws and Moon was standing in front of him. "But my powers still don't work? What did you do Darkstalker?!"
"Yeah, sorry but I wouldn't want you to be too happy and I like my secrets. You'll get over it, and if not so what. I don't care." Moon frowned, then asked 
"Do you know where Winter is?" 
"I don't know and I don't care. He's somewhere in the fortress. I have better things to do then help you find him, now be gone. Enjoy your new freedom before I take it again." Moon left the throne room in a hurry. That made Darkstalker quite happy. Fear. Fear is good. Fear is wonderful.
Moonwatcher:
Moonwatcher roamed the shadowy hallways of Darkstalker's fortress trying to find Winter. It would have been so much easier should she have her powers, but there wasn't any use in complaining about something she couldn't change. "Moon!" Moonwatcher turned and saw Winter rounding a corner. He came over to her and she noticed that he looked like he'd been crying. "It's so good to see you... and about last night, I'm sorry." Moon shook her head. 
"You have nothing to be sorry for. I feel the same way." His face lit up and Moon smiled. 
"Good." Winter's face suddenly got serious. "What did you have to say to convince Darkstalker to let you out of the cage?" Moon frowned. 
"I actually don't know. He's never really said anything about it other then trying to convince me."
"Until we know it's probably best to always be looking over our shoulders, make sure that if he does anything that we'll be ready." Moon nodded. 
"Good plan." Winter nodded and hugged her. 
"It's so good to have you here with me instead of in a cage." Moon nodded vigorously. 
"Anything is better than that awful cage." Winter smiled slightly.
"I'd bet it is."
Five years later 
Winter: 
Winter roamed the dark halls of Darkstalker’s fortress. The rough stone that made up his prison loomed high above his head. He rounded a corner, the black cloak around his shoulders swishing with his movements. Winter much preferred the cloak to the collar that Darkstalker had first forced him to wear. He would never be able to thank Moon enough for convincing the evil NightWing to remove it. Winter was freed. And yet he wasn’t. He and Moon, they were both still trapped. Darkstalker would never let them go. The only true escape was death. It was a morbid outlook upon life, but appropriately accurate. Winter recognized where he was now. Just beyond the dungeon. Winter hated that dungeon. He almost never talked about what he experienced down there, even Moon didn’t know the extent of what he saw. The things he had seen. That he had heard. It was horrible, it destroyed him. To watch the dragons he loved be mutilated before him. Winter knew that parts of him that would never recover from it. And yet every day Winter returned to the dungeons. Returned to see what was left of his former family. They were still alive, kept that way for Darkstalker’s own amusement. It was terrible, and yet Winter always visited them, saw them in their agony. He felt as if it was his duty. So Winter followed the carved stone steps deep down into the earth into the familiar halls and cells. They were kept in a cell at the end of the block. Snowfall, the last queen and Hailstorm. Or what was left of him at least. It was hard to imagine that the bloody, destroyed thing suspended from the ceiling from hooks was once his brother. Winter came close to the bars of the cell. The smell of decay and blood hung in the air as Winter whispered a greeting. He saw Snowfall come close to the bars and Winter flinched slightly at the sight of her. The side of her face had been pealed away many years ago, but the rotting around the edges had gotten much worse, to the point where Winter could see her bones, a paler white than that of her scales poking out at odd angles. The red blisters peppering her body looked worse too. “Winter.” She whispered, her voice scratchy and quit. One of her talons reached through the bars and grasped hold of his arm. Winter again flinched at her touch but didn’t pull away. “You are the last loyal IceWing. The last IceWing.” Winter nodded.
“It seems that way.” A dry chuckle from Snowfall, followed by coughing.
“I’m not going to make it to tomorrow.” She said. “I’m sorry for everything that we did to you. No matter what you stayed loyal. I was so very wrong about you.” She was silent for a second then said “The IceWings need a leader. I don’t want our tribe to die without a leader.” Snowfall tightened her grip on Winter’s arm. “I want you to be king Winter. I want you to keep our tribe alive, I need you to lead. Promise me that you will.” Winter nodded.
“I Promise. I will keep our tribe alive. You will not be forgotten; you were a good queen.”
“That’s all that I ever wanted. To be a good queen…” Snowfall let go of Winter’s arm and he stepped back.
“Goodbye Snowfall.” He whispered and retreated down the cell block and back up the stairs. He was king now. He had to be strong and he had to keep the tribe alive. Somehow, he had to keep the IceWings alive. 
Two years later
Darkstalker: 
The plan was perfect. Beautiful in its simplicity. Enchant a dragon or two, convince them that their queen was weak and couldn’t lead them and that Darkstalker could. It might take time, but with a bit of magic in the right place Darkstalker could watch an entire tribe destroy itself with the result being that everyone was serving him. He wouldn’t even have to kill anybody. They would kill themselves! Darkstalker decided to try out his plan one the SkyWings. Their government didn’t seem all that strong anyway with them being divided between two queens. It was a perfect plan. And it had worked. It had taken seven years, but it had worked. It had worked better than expected. It was hilarious to watch. The loyalists, so devoted to Ruby that they would do anything for her. Verses the revolutionaries believing in Darkstalker. There was even a smaller third group whishing for the old SkyWing queen Scarlet to be reinstated. Most joined his side. There wasn’t as much violence as Darkstalker had been hoping for. Ruby was known for being “peaceful” and in lew of having a violent coup stepped down and surrendered to Darkstalker. Darkstalker had her killed anyway, just for fun. The plan had all worked so well that Darkstalker tried to get the MudWings to join his side in similar fashion, but they had already surrendered power. Out of fear. Their queen had seen what he had done to the other tribes he didn’t like and learning of the SkyWing coup the MudWing queen surrendered to keep her tribe safe. The SandWings remained resolutely against him, and Darkstalker was ok with it. His newfound empire would need an enemy. And it gave him another idea. Using his magic Darkstalker constructed an arena to the west of his fortress just within SandWing territory. The goal was to entertain. Battles to the death and public executions would be regularly held, for the enjoyment of his empire and to feed the sadist inside him. It was perfect. Perfect in its simplicity. 
Three years later 
Moonwatcher: 
Moon adjusted the satchel one last time, then replaced the stone concealing it. I’ve done all I can to protect it. Now all I can do his hope and wait. We’ll be out of this soon. Just as Moon replaced the stone Winter entered the small room that they shared, a look of dread on his face. When he saw Moon looking at him, he quickly plastered a smile across his face. “I don’t need powers to see that there is something wrong.” Moon said, making her way over to him. “What is it? The smile on the IceWing’s face was real this time but disappeared replaced by the same look of dread.
“I just finished speaking with Darkstalker…” He trailed off. This can’t be good. Nothing good ever comes from Darkstalker. “He said…he said that he was going to kill me, tomorrow at dawn. In the arena, in front of everyone.” Winter paused then said. “He said that he knew about Snowfall making me the IceWing king, and that he’s going to make an example of me, ridicule me.” For the first time Moon noticed a gold crown in Winter’s talons.
“Oh Winter.” Moon said. There’s so much I haven’t told you. And now will never get to. Moon felt hot tears at the corners of her eyes. She was angry. Angry at Darkstalker, for everything he’d done and now for taking the love of her life.
“It’s ok.” Winter said. “I am going to be an example, but not as something to laugh at. I’m going to die on my terms. I’ll die hating Darkstalker and fighting him till the bitter end. I must. No more living in fear. I’ll show everyone that there’s still a chance.” He took Moon’s talons in his, dropping the crown. “There is still a chance Moon. Don’t ever forget that. Ten years we’ve spent living in fear, in Darkstalker’s shadow. Now it’s all going to change. My death is just the next fight. You’ll have to carry one without me. Keep fighting.” Moon nodded and Winter smiled. “These last ten years have been the best. I wouldn’t change anything if it means that I got to be with you.” The tears were falling now as Moon fell into Winter, crying. He wrapped his wings around her, holding her close.
“I don’t want you to go.” Moon whispered. “You’re all that I have left.”
“Sometimes this is the way things are.” Winter looked into Moon’s eyes. “Don’t be sad because it’s over. Be happy it happened. I am.” Moon nodded again.
“I couldn’t ask for a better companion.” Moon said.
“I know.” Winter said smiling. “What would you do without me?” It was meant as a joke, but there was weight behind is words. What would Moon do now with Winter gone. What was there left to do? The satchel. Within it’s confines lay a silvery egg. Winter’s legacy and the one thing Moon had left. She knew what to do now. Somehow, she would escape from Darkstalker and raise the dragonet inside in a world without fear and a world without Darkstalker.
Dawn, The next day
Winter:
On step then the other closer and closer to the end. End of Darkstalker, end of everything. Funny how knowing that death was coming made it that much easier.
"You know, the sleeping feel no more pain." Winter said softly. The guard escorting him shot him a sidelong glance, something like pity in his eyes before quickly looking away. "These are the last words I'll ever speak, and they'll set me free."
"Brave words for a dead dragon walking." said the guard.
"You're right." Winter said. "Better choose carefully." The guard looked at Winter again and smiled slightly.
"You're not so bad IceWing." he said.
"You either." Winter said. He could see the light at the end of the tunnel. "You know he's going to be defeated." Winter told the guard. The NightWing nodded grimly and said
"Not everyone of us is evil. We want him dead as much as you do." Winter stopped walking and the guard stopped too.
"Then do something about it." Winter started walking again. "Biggest difference between a hero and villain is their choices. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices, even if they hurt the ones you love."
"By going out there, are you hurting someone you love?" Winter was at the tunnel mouth now. He lifted the golden crown that he'd been carrying and set it upon his head.
"More then you could ever know." Knowing the end was coming really did make it easier. Winter knew that by walking out there and dying that he would be sending a message. A message that Darkstalker could be defied, maybe others would follow his example. Winter took a deep breath and with his head held high stepped out onto the hot sand to shouts and jeers of the spectators. 
Moonwatcher:
Winter walked out onto the sand amid shouts and jeers, his head held high. Seeing him standing there on the sand, the golden crown on his head against the cool blue of his scales. Shiny and bright in the sunlight, his face impassive and commanding. He looked every bit the king that Darkstalker would never be. As he moved his eyes traveled around the arena until they met hers. He held her gaze for a few heartbeats then arriving in front of the platform he looked to Darkstalker and bowed, deep and low. Graceful, even in submission Winter had an air about him of command and leadership. It was as if everyone in the arena could feel it was well. The arena fell silent as Winter, the last IceWing king straightened and stared at Darkstalker. A small smile played across his face as Darkstalker began his speech.
Darkstalker:
"Look before you and see a traitor! Winter, the last of the IceWings!" Boos and shouts echoed around the stadium. Darkstalker grinned. This would be great. From the moment he'd laid eyes on the IceWing Darkstalker knew this was how he would die. A public execution. An example to fuel his empire and to feed his sadistic rage. "Tell us IceWing, tell us of your sins! Confess!"
"As you wish my liege." Winter said, his voice cool and powerful. "I am Winter, the last IceWing and their last king. I have committed many crimes and betrayed Darkstalker in every way imaginable. I have plotted against him and planned ways to kill him." Darkstalker's grin widened. Everything was a lie, but it didn’t matter. This was his favorite part of the executions.
"Will you beg for mercy IceWing!?" Darkstalker shouted a manic glint in his eyes. Winter shook his head.
"Never Darkstalker. I will never beg for mercy, not while I still breath." Darkstalker frowned slightly.
"Then I guess we'll just have to rectify that won't we?" Winter didn't move or look away. He spread his wings and shouted, his voice echoing around the stadium.
"Do as you wish Darkstalker. I will not beg, not for you." Darkstalker was getting upset now. This was not how this was supposed to go. The giant NightWing launched himself off the platform and onto the sand in front of Winter. No matter. He was still going to enjoy killing the IceWing.
"I'm going to give you one last chance IceWing. Will you beg?" Winter shook his head, his eyes boring into Darkstalker's.
"Never. I will never beg. Not to a monster like you." Darkstalker sighed and then smiled. Suddenly spears made of blue energy appeared out of thin air and smashed into Winter. The IceWing lurched forward, blood gushing from his wounds and from the corners of his mouth. For the first time a look of fear flashed across his face.
"How about now?" Darkstalker asked, his voice lilting and almost joking. "Want mercy yet?"
"N-Never!" Winter shouted his voice quivering, blue blood spraying from his mouth as he spoke. The fear in is face had gone as quickly as it had appeared. Darkstalker gazed around the stadium, letting Winter suffer in pain for a minute or so as he lapped up the cheers from the crowd. Another spear smashed into Winter, his chest this time. The IceWing gasped and clutched at the spear, blood everywhere. "M-Moon…." He choked.
"Goodbye Winter." Darkstalker said as Winter's eyes rolled back in his head and he slumped sideways, dead. His blood staining the sand a deep dark blue. As Darkstalker turned away from his corpse to face the crowed the energy spears disappeared causing the IceWings body to fully hit the ground. The crowd roared. They had witnessed many executions in that stadium, but never one so gruesome. Darkstalker turned to look at Moonwatcher grinning. The tears running down her face said it all. "Too terrible to look away isn't it Moon?" He said. His voice low and joking. "I killed your boyfriend Moon, what're gonna do now?" To the crowed he said. "See what happens when I am defied. You will fear me, and you will obey me or…" He gestured to Winter's corpse, blood still leaking from it. "It will be you dying on those sands. Just keep that in mind." Out of the corner of his eye Darkstalker watched Moon slipping away escorted by a guard. It didn’t matter though. All that mattered was that Winter was dead and the crowed loved it. 
Moonwatcher:
As she watched the spears ripping through Winter's body Moon felt something inside her break. She could feel tears rolling down her face, but she hadn't even known that she was even crying. He'd killed Winter. He'd killed Winter. "Too terrible to look away isn't it Moon?" Darkstalker said. His voice low and joking. "I killed your boyfriend Moon, what're gonna do now?" His words brought Moon back to reality. There would be time to grieve for her mate, but this wasn't it. Darkstalker had turned back to the crowd "See what happens when I am defied. You will fear me and you will obey me or…" Someone touched Moon's wing and she turned. It was a guard. Greenish black with scars around his mouth and neck
"Come with me he whispered." What was there to lose going with him, and Moon would have done anything to get away from the stadium and to get away from Darkstalker. She followed the guard through a doorway Darkstalker's words echoing around the stadium. "It will be you dying on those sands. Just keep that in mind." Once they were in the dark of the tunnel beyond the door the guard turned to Moon.
"I'm so sorry." He said. "I understand what it's like to lose someone you care about." Moon could see the sincerity in his eyes and knew he wasn't lying. "I spoke to him, before he died." The guard said. "He told me that if I hated Darkstalker that I should do something about it…" He trailed off.
"I get it." Moon said smiling slightly. "He could do that to you." The guard nodded.
"You're not safe here anymore. Darkstalker is going to kill you next." Moon nodded. "I can get you out of the palace, but we have to hurry. " He started off down the hallway and Moon followed. "Do you need anything from your room?" He asked. They passed two guards and they saluted and fell into step behind them. Glancing at the guards Moon shook her head.
"Just one thing." The guard nodded.
"We have to make a quick stop at the palace anyways."
"If you don't mind me asking, what's your name and why are you helping me?" They took another turn and the guard said
"My name's Raven. And you're not the only one to lose someone you love to Darkstalker." The venom in Raven's words surprised Moon, but she didn't pry any deeper. They had reached one of the many balconies surrounding the stadium. As they took off towards the place, they were joined by two more guards.
"Who are these guys?" Moon asked Raven.
"Protection. When we reach the palace those loyal to Darkstalker are going to try and stop us."
"Stop us from doing what?" Moon asked.
"Escaping."
A few minutes ago
Raven: 
"Raven! Raven there's something I have to tell you." The grin on Kiwi's face said that it was important, not that Raven wouldn't have listened anyway. "Raven, you're going to be a father!" Rave gasped and wrapped his wings around Kiwi, hugging her. 
"Really!? Are you sure?" The RainWing nodded, her scales cycling between their normal green brown and every shade of pink imaginable. 
"I'm certain." She said. Raven laughed. He was going to be a father! It was almost too good to be true…
It was too good to be true. It was at that moment that Darkstalker's wall of RainWing killing flames claimed the forest and everything in it, including Raven's mate and his future. The NightWing fell to his knees as ashes floated down from the sky. He looked to his left and saw Darkstalker standing in the center of the NightWing village in the burnt remains of the forest. It was him who had murdered Raven's mate and unborn dragonets. Raven felt like his insides were burning away like the forest, replaced by white hot rage. He was going to kill Darkstalker, make him feel the pain that Raven was feeling now. Raven was suddenly transported to the group of other NightWings. Darkstalker was an animus and immortal. The only way to kill him was magic. Luckily for Raven he'd met someone years ago who he knew could help him. He just had to find him. Darkstalker pointed at Raven and other larger NightWing. "You two are now captains of my new army/guard." He pointed at a different dragon and said something else, but Raven wasn’t listening. Captain of the guard? You fool Darkstalker. You’ve just given me exactly what I need to bring about your undoing. 
Raven shook himself out of his memories and ducked into a side entrance where he was met by two guards.
"Tell Batwings and Legend to wait at the platform entrance, then go to the east balcony and watch our escape." The guards saluted and Raven slid past them up a set of stairs and through a maze of tunnels and halls. The NightWing could hear Darkstalker shouting his speech and hear the crowd grow quiet as Winter died. Raven passed through the mouth of the platform entrance behind where Moon and Darkstalker's other "advisors" were standing. He heard Darkstalker say something to Moonwatcher then turn back to the crowd. Raven brushed Moon's wing to get her attention. "Come with me."
Now
The flight to the palace was short and uneventful, but Raven knew that once they were inside all hell would break loose. That was why he had enlisted the help of a former friend for some backup. He’d learned of Darkstalker’s plan to kill Winter and knew he had to act quickly. The NightWing and flown to the Scorpion Den to track down his friend.
A week earlier 
"I need your help Isis." Raven said. "You must have heard of Darkstalker by now, I-"
"You want me to kill him for you." Isis said cutting Raven off. The NightWing nodded. "I'm sorry you came all this way for nothing, but the answer is no." 
"What do you mean no!?" Raven shouted. "You owe me Isis! The only reason you have power in the first place is because of me!" Isis turned to glare at Raven
"Yeah thanks soo much for this power Raven. Do you know how hard it is to keep from going crazy!? To not become a second Darkstalker!?" The half blind hybrid was only inches from Raven. "I try so hard to keep from going insane and killing everyone. To try and be a good mate for Snowflake!?" Raven shoved Isis, pushing him back a few feet. 
"Shut up! Shut up Isis! Did you ever think for a second that I have problems too!? I watched my mate and dragonets burned to death in front of my face. Watched my life fall apart in seconds because of him!" Raven's voice broke.
"You're my last hope to avenge their deaths!" Isis looked at the floor. 
"I'm sorry. I didn't know." 
"I'm sorry too, I know you didn't ask for your powers, but you have them. Now's a chance for you to use them for good, instead of for evil." Isis nodded. 
"I've made so many mistakes. I don't want to mess up. And what about Snowflake? How can I keep her safe? Raven sighed. 
"That's what I need you to do. Create a safehouse of sorts. One where Darkstalker's magic won't be able to hurt us. Anyone there would be safe." Isis nodded again. 
"I'll do it." Raven nodded. 
"In three days, meet me at the western tower of Darkstalker's fortress. There's a few things that I need to get done and dragons who have to come too."
"Whatever you need Raven, It will be done." Raven nodded. 
"Thank you, Isis. You're a true friend."
"Truest you'll ever have I'm afraid." Isis said with a grin. "Just like old times..."
"But neither of us would have it any other way." Raven said grinning too. "Until we meet again."
"Until we meet again." Isis echoed. 
Now: 
Raven stood in the entrance to what he assumed was Winter and Moon’s room as she pulled a stone from the wall and removed a small satchel. Slinging it around her neck she made sure it was secure then said “I’m ready. Let’s go.” There was a look of ferocity in her eyes that hadn’t been there before, but Raven wasn’t there to ask questions.
“Good, we have to be fast. There isn’t much time.” Raven nodded towards his guards and the six of them sprinted down the halls. It was quiet as they ran. Far too quiet, the palace guard should have been on them already.
“Something’s wrong.” Legend said and Raven nodded.
“It’s too quiet.”
The group rounded a corner, and they were standing there, waiting for them. The other guard captain, a brute just as evil as Darkstalker standing just in front of the other guards a big grin on his face. "Ah Raven."
"Scourge." Raven growled. Scourge was a bully and an all-around terrible dragon.
"You shouldn't have come here Raven." Scourge said. They didn't have enough time to listen.
"Moon, run!" Raven shouted and then he threw himself at Scourge slashing at his face. Legend and the others attacked the Scourge's companions. Raven watched Moon run down the hallway past the fighting dragons. He'd already told her about meeting Isis and where she had to go. Raven just hoped that if any guards jumped her that she would be able to fight them off or run. Scourge headbutted Raven, sending him reeling backwards and reminding him that there was a fight going on.
"I'm going to enjoy this!" Scourge shouted. He grabbed Raven's horns and smashed his head into one of the walls. Raven felt as much as heard something break, either his horns or his skull. Scourge still had a solid grip on Raven's horns and the larger NightWing smashed his head into the wall again. At the last second Raven twisted and absorbed most of the blow against his shoulder, shattering it. He slashed at Scourge's throat in a spray of hot blood. Scourge roared and smashed Raven's head against the wall a third time. Blood was leaking into Raven's eyes now, making it harder and harder to see. At the edges of what remained of his vision darkness began to creep in closer and closer. Another impact, more pain. Scourge had too good a grip on Raven. No matter how much he struggled he couldn’t free himself. Raven slashed feebly at Scourge barely connecting. Did we buy Moon enough time? Scourge dropped Raven. He struggled back up to his feet and heard a scream as he watched one of the other guards tearing out Legend's entrails in a bloody mess. He could hear running clawsteps and shouting. More guards coming to help Scourge. Scourge slashed at Raven’s face connecting and knocking him to the floor again. "Take a look around Raven." He said. "All your friends are dead." The larger NightWing picked up Raven by his throat. All the dragons Raven had come in with were dead, their bodies mangled and almost unrecognizable. Scourge's guards barely had any scratches. Raven grasped and clawed at Scourge's arm.
"Just end it Scourge." He whispered. "Just kill me." Raven would be able to see Kiwi again and meet his dragonets. Scourge grinned.
"No way. I'm going to make you suffer Raven." Raven groaned as Scourge began crushing his windpipe. Raven's grip around Scourge's arm lessened and went limp. Raven’s breathing became ragged and Scourge’s grip tightened. In the distance Raven thought he heard screaming and then Scourge dropped him and the world went dark.
Moonwatcher: 
"Moon run!" Raven shouted and he leapt at the head guard. Moon did as she was bidden running towards the western tower as fast as she could, even though every bone in her body said not to. She knew that Raven was going to die, but she also knew that he would have died for nothing if something happened to her. It wasn't far to the western tower and like Raven had said there were two dragons waiting for her. A female IceWing and a SandWing/NightWing hybrid male in a dark cloak.
"Are you Moonwatcher?" he asked taking a step towards her. Moon nodded out of breath. "Are you ok, where's Raven?" Moon shook her head and pointed back the way she had come. The hybrid, Isis looked at the IceWing and then sprinted back down the hallway Moon had just come from. She hoped that Isis would get there in time. 
Isis: 
Isis sprinted down the hallway towards the sounds of battle around him a tunnel of golden flames springing from nowhere and circling around him. The fire roared out of the hallway into the room with the battling dragons, an angle of burning death. The flames consumed the other NightWings, their dying screams caught in their burring lungs as Isis slid the final few feet towards Raven and the NightWing who had him. The NightWing dropped Raven as Isis slammed into him, the hybrid's claws digging into his throat and stomach. With ease Isis twisted his claws and ripped the NightWing open, his guts and blood coating the floor. Isis turned to crouch next to Raven. Laying his blood-stained talons on his friend's chest willing him to live. The damaged NightWing's wounds slowly began to heal. The bruises on Raven's neck and his broken horns repaired themselves and Raven took a shaky breath. "You're gonna be all right Raven." Isis said, his voice low, barely audible over the crackle of the flames and the other NightWing's dying moans. Raven opened his eyes slowly taking in Isis. "How?" he said softly. "It doesn't matter Isis said, "You're ok." Raven shook his head. "No, I'm not Isis I'm not ok." "Whatdya mean what's wrong?" Isis said panic creeping into his voice.
"I shouldn't be alive Isis I can't be alive."
"What are you taking about I saved you!" Isis said.
"I don't want to be alive Isis." Raven murmured. "I've lived years as a hollowed-out shell of a dragon. Agonizing every day over the loss of my family. Now I can finally be with them. I did my duty. I got Moon out, I did my part. Now you do yours Isis. Get her someplace safe, just let me go." Isis shook his head hot tears in his eyes.
"NO! I can't. You're the only true friend I ever had! I can't let you die. Not when I can do something about it." A small smile played across Raven's face.
"It’s not your decision, to make. It's mine."
"NO! NO! NOOO!" Isis screamed, tears running down his face. He could feel Raven's pulse slowing. "Come on! Come On!!" Isis poured magic into Raven, but it did nothing. With one last sigh of breath the NightWing was gone. Isis roared. A scream of pain and rage. His body shook as he sobbed. "NO! YOU CAN'T BE DEAD! I WON'T LET YOU BE DEAD!!!!!!!!!" But it was useless. Isis sat back and wrapped his wings around himself, but it did him no good. The pain was too great. And with that pain came rage. His oldest friend. Isis could feel the rage and hatred electrify every part of his body. He was going to save Moon, keep her safe and then he was going to rip Darkstalker apart and force him to feel Isis’ rage. The hybrid stood. The tears were gone now. Replaced by hatred. "You will have your revenge. We both will… he whispered as he retreated down the hallway, the flames roaring and filling the room behind him, burning everything. A warrior’s funeral.
Moonwatcher: 
In what felt like ages but was probably only a few minutes Isis returned, a grim look on his face. “C’mon. We have places to go.” The IceWing looked worried.
“Isis, are you ok?” She asked. Isis nodded.
“Never been better.” He spread his wings and leapt off the tower. The IceWing and Moon followed suit. For the duration of the flight the IceWing, Snowflake was her name kept trying to talk to Isis, but the hybrid didn’t do anything just stared ahead. When they reached their destination, a walled compound that supposedly belonged to Isis he told her “You’ll be safe here. Darkstalker’s magic can’t find you. “
“Thank-you.” Moon said 
“Don’t thank me, thank Raven.” He then disappeared somewhere within the compound; Snowflake close behind. That worried look still on her face. There was something that she didn’t know about Isis, but she didn’t care. Right now, what was important was that she was safe and hidden from Darkstalker.
Epilog: 
As Moon stood in her room, moonlight shafted in through the high windows she removed the satchel from around her neck and set it on the ground. She opened it and gently lifted out a silver egg. They were safe here, at least for now. Moon had wanted so badly to tell Winter about the egg, but she knew that if Darkstalker ever knew about it, that he would surely kill it. The egg was only safe with Moon. She held the egg close. She had sworn to herself that the dragonet inside would grow up in a safe world, one where Darkstalker was just a bad dream. She would make it happen.
Isis was standing atop the northern tower, gazing at the moon. "You blame yourself for his death don't you." Snowflake had caught up to him.
"If only I had been faster." He whispered. "I could have saved him. "
"You can't always save everyone." Snowflake put a wing around Isis. "But you should be proud of what you've done. You saved Moon, created a safe place far from Darkstalker. You've given us all a fighting chance." She leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. "And you never let me down."
Snowflake's words were kind but they did little to ease Isis' mind. He could feel inside himself that something had broken. Yet another barrier protecting the world from his madness. Isis could feel the magic eating away at his insides, killing what was left of his tattered soul. The only thing keeping him from becoming another Darkstalker was standing next to him. Isis looked at Snowflake and she smiled up at him. Snowflake. The last light in his darkness. Isis remembered something Raven had told him only a few days ago. "I don't want you to kill him, but you know that you have to." 
"But what about my soul!? Doesn't that matter?" 
"We always knew how this story was going to end Isis. The only way this can ever end is where you use your magic to end your life. Why not take Darkstalker out with you?" 
"There isn't another way?" 
"You know that there isn't. " Isis refused to accept it then and he wouldn't now. He would figure out something. He had to figure out something. There had to be a way to defeat Darkstalker where nobody else must die.
Darkstalker sat on his throne, shrouded in darkness. Winter was dead, his corpse left to rot on the stained sands of his arena, and yet Darkstalker unhappy. Something was wrong. Something was missing. It was important, the missing thing. Darkstalker was going to find what ever or whoever was hiding from him and then he would skin them alive. And he would enjoy it. 
The End
Category:Mature Content
Category:Fanfictions (Semi-Canon)
Category:Fanfictions
Category:Fanfictions (Completed)
Category:Content (Isis The Masked Dragon)
Category:Genre (Tragedy)