~Winter~

Kinkajou had returned with an exhausted-looking Turtle. He looked even worse than Kinkajou and it was clear he was near the brink of insanity from the ways he even (accidentally) made a long scratch at the RainWing's neck. 

Winter immediately flared with anger to see him like that. He and Turtle had never been particularly close but they were still friends! 

He felt funny as he thought of the word 'friends'. A few weeks back, he would have never admitted that the "cowardly" SeaWing was his friend but now, he was filled with rage at what Darkstalker had done to him. 

Moon had rushed to check on Turtle and Winter awkwardly slid up to them as well. "I-Is he OK?" He mumbled softly. 

"I don't need your pity." Turtle barked out, like a completely new dragon. He paused and then slumped onto the tree he had been resting on. "Sorry, Winter.. I've missed both of you. It's just animus magic's been messing me up." He mumbled.

Winter smiled softly at Turtle. "It's alright. . . you'll get through this . . . somehow." But he wasn't sure. 

Were they really safe with Turtle here? I mean, he definitely seemed like he was in a dying state but the fact that he seemed to lash out even more than Winter before the whole drama... he missed Turtle, that was for sure but who was he to say that Turtle wouldn't try to hurt them? 

It doesn't matter. He thought, trying to convince himself. Moon seems to trust him. If she does I do as well. A-and I'll protect her! 

A brief whispered thought. But could you? He shook it away. I CAN AND I WILL. Stop, stop, stop, stop. I'm not some fragile weakling like I was before. I- I can't be. My real personality is grumpy, sharp-tongued Winter. 

Winter didn't know what to think these days. He just wanted his bold personality from before back. It was his signature personality- everyone expects him to be this way not the sappy awkward mess he was right now. Say something snappy- something anything. 

He felt a warm touch on his shoulders. Winter whirled around in defense, almost lashing out before he realized it was Moonwatcher. 

"Winter... regardless of who you are, I love you anyway. And even if I didn't- you don't need to change yourself for me. I know you . . ." She pauses as if she was trying to think of an alternative word. "see me as something else but even so- you don't need to change yourself because of me. Slap me for Clearsight's sake if I'm being a jerk!" She puffed up her chest wisely.

Winter chuckled and brushed his wings with Moon's. "Thank you." He mumbled quietly, leaning toward her ear. "I need that." 

Kinkajou giggled. "Woah there lovebirds-"

"Why does everyone call us a lovebird?!" Winter spluttered out quickly. 

The RainWing rolled her eyes and turned her gaze back to Turtle. "What now?" She asked. "We found Turtle as our 'One who's in a dying state' we just need Qibli now right? Mr. Tragic-Fate and all."

Moon hesitated. "Yes. . . and we'd need one dragon to get him."

"But what if he refuses to come with us?" Winter asked.

"Ooh, I know!" Kinkajou perked up. "We should kidnap him!"

"What? We are not doing that-" Winter started.

"Sure."

"What in the name of the great ice dragon?!" Winter sighed in disappointment. He couldn't believe Moon actually said yes to that. "Alright. Who's going?"

Kinkajou withered at that question, her wings drooping. He could tell she never wanted to see Darkstalker ever again. He started having second thoughts again. If that's the case, how will she ever save Pyrrhia from Darkstalker? Did we do this wrong? Is 'One with a heart of gold' not Kinkajou? His thoughts blurted before he could stop them. 

Moon turned her gaze on him but didn't say anything. It was enough to make him wither now. "It has to be me," Moon says, flicking her tail strategically. "Winter and Turtle is a definite no. Kinkajou shouldn't be in the palace again- that only leaves me." 

Winter growled softly. "Are you sure? Darkstalker is relentless! I think I should come with you." He says with concerned eyes. 

"I'll be fine! Cool NightWing fore-sight powers and mind-reading, remember?" She said. "Besides," She grinned. "I know how to block my thoughts now." She pointed out with a reassuring expression. 

The others reluctantly agreed and sent Moon off.

~Moonwatcher~

It didn't take too long for her to spot Qibli- in fact, it was him who found her first. She twitched as he came up to her with a naive grin on his face. He had no idea that she was going to knock him out, did he?

Qibli had a ridiculous aura around him. "Hey, Moon!" He said. "I haven't seen you around lately.. Darkstalker's been really grumpy without you these days! You should come visit us more ofte-"

Before he could say anything more, she knocked him out with a wince as a loud thud made her jump. Sorry, Qibli. I'll explain it later. She thought as she quickly dragged him out of the door and grunted in an effort at his weight. 

 Moon hurried back to the others and dropped Qibli gently to the ground. Winter came over and poked him with his long wickedly sharp claws. "He's not dead is he?" That was his first question. 

"NO! What did you think I am!" She said with an over-exaggerated offended expression. 

"I'm kidding!"

"Hi, kidding . . ." A voice said, startling all of them. 

Qibli had gotten up gingerly. "WELL FOR CAMEL'S SPIT SAKE!" He shouted in surprise when he saw the dragons surrounding him. He looked at Moon in confusion but a moment later, his face flashed into realization. "Why?" was the only thing he could say. 

"I'm sorry Qibli, but we suspect you're in our prophecy," Moon answered.

"About what? You know if you just said something I would've come dashing in to help! Why don't you trust me, Moon?" He mumbled bitterly with a slight glare. 

"I- I can't tell you what it's about! It's for the greater good though." 

"You don't trust me." Qibli's eyes trailed off toward Winter and his poisonous barbed tail flicked dangerously close to Winter. 

The IceWing seemed to be quite defensive and cold at Qibli's behavior but his thoughts were a sputtered, worried mess; Oh no.. why is this happening? What did Darkstalker do to you? Turtle's already wasted but you can't be too. 

"I do!" Moon exclaimed, on the brink of tears. 

"Then tell me what it's about!" He pestered.

"Fine! FINE! It's defeating Darkstalker..." She whispered quietly, hoping it was too quiet for Qibli to hear. 

He most definitely did hear, "WHAT?! Master Darkstalker?" His face immediately changed from hurt to anger. A flicker between his eyes said something else though. Hope. 

~Qibli~

On the inside, he was beaming with hope. Could I finally be free? Oh, I hate myself right now. But on the outside, he was raging. Thoughts flurried back at him: Darkstalker, Darkstalker, Darkstalker! Can't let him be hurt. Need to protect him. Could I just stab that Winter in the neck, twist around, and knock out that RainWing and . . . wait no, Turtle is an animus. But I am too! 

Qibli- the real Qibli flinched in fear- at least, he would if he could. He had never really used his animus magic before- maybe a few test runs but they were so minor, he was sure his soul would be alright. But if he used it for a bad deed such as this . . . he wondered how much of his soul would be left. 

Suddenly, a feeling told him something. Qibli grinned. "Oh . . . I think you may be a step too late." His mouth moved without himself commanding it- but at this point, he was kinda used to it. His eyes flickered into an empty look. "Darkstalker has already enchanted it. Filled with anger and rage. He's found out that many of his play-things are gone."

Turtle shivered at the word. "No, no, no.. petrified. Terrified. Fear. Anger. Kill him." His words were in a mess. 

Kinkajou put a talon on his shoulders and hugged him even when she was trembling herself. Moon didn't say anything. Her eyes still seemed determined. "It's not over yet though. I can feel it in my bones. As long as we fulfill the prophecy, the world will be fine." She says. 

Winter stared at her with melting love that made the SandWing bristle. "Moon's right." Qibli suddenly said. 

The others stared at him weirdly as though they didn't expect him to say that. "What? I- I believe in the greater good more than Darkstalker." The words that were escaping his lips seemed so hard to say- as though every letter was a punch in the stomach. It felt wrong- but at the same time, betraying Moon seemed wrong as well!

EVERYTHING SEEMS WRONG! His thoughts screamed. That's why I'll make it right. During the journey I'll make Moon trust me- love me- I want everyone to like me. Darkstalker, Moon, Kinkajou, Turtle His thoughts huffed with insanity. Winter will be left alone. A wrenched smile was on his face. He'll have to face the feeling of loneliness as everyone snicker at him. 

Moon smiled. She didn't have a clue what he was thinking. It had been one of his animus tests. To block all mind-reading from NightWings- except Darkstalker of course! 

Oh, this was going to be a fun journey, alright . . . everyone will love him, Darkstalker will praise him for bringing his . . . subjects . . . back! 

He couldn't wait.