Mastermind

**Mastermind** is an adult male NightWing introduced in *The Dark Secret*. Before the events of the NightWing Exodus, Mastermind was a NightWing scientist studying RainWings.

He currently resides in the Rainforest Kingdom, imprisoned in quicksand.

## Appearance

Mastermind has black scales, with the silver scale patterns on the underside of his wing membranes spraying outward, like a splash of water. He is whip-thin, with a snout pockmarked with small scars and curious, bloodshot eyes.

## Personality

Mastermind is highly intelligent, which is most likely why he was qualified to become a scientist. He is passionately devoted to science and seems to care greatly about Starflight. Like his son, he has a tendency to use a wide and complex vocabulary. He gets nervous in difficult situations, such as when Battlewinner left her lava pool before her armor was complete, leading to her death. Mastermind was loyal to his tribe and was willing to follow the queen's orders. However, Mastermind did not have any intentions to torture the RainWings - he intended to create a defense to RainWing venom, and expand dragon knowledge for the purpose of science, as well as following the queen's orders. However, he seemed to believe that RainWings were inferior, barely considering them dragons, which explained his lack of remorse in their imprisonment and kidnapping. He is somewhat similar to Starflight, as both are devoted to science. Unlike Starflight, however, he seems to lack the critical thinking skills to question his orders. Despite being willing to experiment on the RainWings, he was quite friendly when he met Starflight showing that he cares about his son despite the former's sociopathic tendencies.

## Quotes

*"No, no! [...] I must not be interrupted! This experiment is at a critical juncture! And Greatness says I might be shut down at any moment! Everyone please leave!"*
― to Morrowseer, Starflight and Fatespeaker (*The Dark Secret*, page 47)

*"Three moons, [...] What a handsome dragonet. He does look like me; I knew he would. As I suspected, his jawline is genetically dominant. [...] Ah, and yes, see the way the star scales on our wings spray outward, like a splash of water? Whereas Morrowseer's, for instance, curl inward, more like a snail shell. All theories at this point, of course."*
― to Morrowseer, about Starflight (*The Dark Secret*, page 47-48)

*"But* I *have a son! I, of all dragons! Let's see Strongwings laugh now! Just wait until everyone sees my handsome offspring. [...] So strong and healthy! You can be the assistant I've been looking for. What are you interested in, son?"*
― to Starflight (*The Dark Secret*, page 48)

*"Fantastic! [...] I have lots of scrolls. How about desalinization? Know anything about it?"*
― to Starflight (*The Dark Secret*, page 48)

*"Very good, [...] We have only one freshwater source on the island, and it's become rather contaminated with ash over the last few years, so I invented this magnificent contraption to provide safe water for the entire tribe..."*
― to Starflight (*The Dark Secret*, page 49)

*"Here is where I do all my volcanology, [...] I'm testing for materials that can withstand eruptions, and working on scale models of barriers, and outlining possible implementation systems. No wonder I need an assistant, right?"*
― to Starflight (*The Dark Secret*, page 49)

*"Not going very well, as you can see! [...] Queen Battlewinner isn't pleased about that. Of course, she has her own ideas about where I should be focusing my attention. Come, come!"*
― to Starflight (*The Dark Secret*, page 50)