(I changed the cover . . . it kinda looks a bit horror-like though . . . tell me if you like this change.)

~Winter~

Winter stared at his prison wall in a daze. How long has it been since he was stuck here? Was Moon coming any time soon? It seems like a long time. Is she alright? She's strong and wonderful perfectly capable of standing up for herself against Darkstalker! He didn't need to worry! But what if something happened and he wasn't there to protect her?! 

The IceWing slumped glumly. He missed Moonwatcher. Her gentle smile and touch yet the fierce determination and confidence she has. Life would be nothing without Moon. He didn't know if he could live with himself if Moon got hurt and he wasn't there to protect her. 

Suddenly, a slam pulled Winter out of his thoughts abruptly. He leaned over to the bars as far as he could, peering at who it was. Was it Moon? Is she here? Was she alright? 

"HEY, WINTER!" A loud voice yelled in greeting. 

It was a NightWing, but not the one he wanted to see. "Nightshade.." He mumbled, exasperated but his eyes then brightened. "Have you seen Moon? How's she doing? Is she coming to see me- don't tell her I'm desperate OK?" He did not need to seem more pathetic than he already was.

"I haven't seen your lovebird, Ice dragon." He responded simply. 

Winter's hopeful expression crumpled. He sat down and curled into a ball. When was Moonwatcher going to visit him? It's been a long time.. he knew it was selfish of him to think that way- after all, Moon has her own life... well, whatever life Darkstalker had forced upon her. But another second without Moon in his life is another second wasted. . . that was sappy. What happened to be all cool . . . 

Yep. He was definitely going insane. 

Suddenly, another loud noise jerked Winter out of his thoughts. He quickly scrambled up to his claws, almost tripping before sticking his horns through the bars. Finally, he saw the dragonet he had been waiting for. "Moon!" Winter screamed happily. He ran to greet her but forgot he was in jail, slamming into the metal door. DID SHE SEE THAT? I hope she didn't. Would she leave thinking I was weird? Probably not right??? RIGHT??? OK, Winter, pull yourself together. Remember, you are COOL. Winter thought to himself. And then face-palmed. 

Qibli was slowly rubbing off him. . . 

Moonwatcher's face smiled automatically, without getting permission from her brain at the sight of Winter. "Hi, Winter." When she spotted Nightshade though, her face turned all serious and she pulled him away from harassing a poor Winter with his love life. Again. "I need to ask for a favor."

Nightshade's eyes widened and then he turned his head, choosing not to respond. "So, Winter. You know my girlfriend I was talking to you about last time? Starshine? So, you won't believe what she told me today-" 

Moonwatcher growled with frustration and practically had to threaten to slice the NightWing's face off. Winter approved of that choice. "AGHH. FINE. WHAT DO YOU WANT? P-P-PUT THAT CLAW AWAY FROM ME. Respect your elders, young lady!" He yelled loudly with a grumpy expression. "Winter, get your lovebird to stop harassing this poor guard!"

Blushing hard, Moon forced Nightshade to squat. She whispered quietly, keeping a wary eye on the other prisoners, making sure they didn't hear their conversation. "You know how we're like, super good friends of yours and stuff right, Night?" She started sheepishly. 

Nightshade jerked back. "Oh, no." He snapped. "What do you want from me? I DON'T HAVE SCALES (the currency of Wings of Fire)."

Moonwatcher took a deep breath and said softly, only loud enough for Winter and Nightshade to hear. "Set Winter free. The world is at stake."

Nightshade froze while Winter stared at Moon like she was crazy. The NightWing guard then burst into laughter, paused, and then backed away from her until he hit the wall. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?" He screeched, making half the prisoners wake up. "DO YOU KNOW THE CONSEQUENCES IF I SET HI-"

Moon quickly clasped his snout. "Quiet down."

Nightshade glanced around and nodded. He whispered, "No. No means no, Moon. This is too far. I'm like a huge shipper of Winterwatcher but I can't lose my job- ah, no, screw my job, I can't take Darkstalker's torture methods." He shivered. "I've never seen someone have so much glee into ripping out someone's-"

"I do not need to know. But you need to understand what's at stake here, Night! I'm not just speaking for myself." Moon cried. "Everything's going to crash down if I don't take down Darkstalker. The Dragonets of Destiny could die! Kinkajou and Turtle could die! No, everyone could die. I need to stop them. I need to find the "Destined Heroes". Or el-"

"Deep breaths. Explain everything slowly." Winter interrupted his brow furrowing. He reached through the bars with concern, touching her forehead, checking whether she has a fever. He jerked back. "Whoa, why are NightWings so ho- WAIT, NO, I DON'T MEAN IT THAT WAY. PLEASE DON'T MISUNDERSTAND." Winter said in a mess, flustered. 

Moonwatcher laughed. "And you said I'm the one that needs to calm down!" She smiled, brushing Winter's wings. 

Winter grinned, happy to see her smile but wished he didn't look like a fool while doing that. 

Moon explained what had happened. The visions she had, the prophecy she was given, and everything.  

When she finished, Winter looked shocked but not very surprised and Nightshade looked utterly terrified. "I knew Darkstalker was evil but that's just . . ." He trailed off. "That's just not right. And if you're describing the dragons correctly. . . Moon, I think they're the past villains."

"The SkyWing is probably the famous Queen Scarlet. The SeaWings is possibly Whirlpool, Queen Coral's royal scribe. The NightWing is definitely Morrowseer." Moon flinched in surprise at the mention of Morrowseer. Winter tilted his head curiously at her but didn't question it any further. 

"The SandWings are probably the two princesses, Blister and Burn." Nightshade continued and then paused with an embarrassed flick of his tail. "And for the RainWing, well, I'm not really sure... you'll have to figure out that one yourself." He bobbed his head toward Moonwatcher. 

"The RainWing should be Chameleon," Winter added calmly. "According to Hailstorm whom I had a very nice conversation before that hybrid flew in and dragged me here. But I don't think he's dead quite yet... maybe a helper of Darkstalker's?" He guessed. 

Moon gaped at the two dragons. "How are you so calm? The world's at stake right now!"

"I mean, I'm about to die anyway," Nightshade said, shrugging. 

"And I'm stuck in prison." Winter nodded, completely understanding Nightshade. "Not much we can do-"

"Nightshade what do you mean about 'I'm going to die anyway'?" Moon suddenly cut in.

Nightshade grinned as Winter leaned at the door curiously and then almost had a heart attack when he suddenly fell through the door. "What the hell-" Winter started but then got cut off by Nightshade.

"OH NO.. THE DOOR BROKEEE. I NEED TO CATCH THIS-uh- SEAL-FACED ICEWING." Nightshade said loudly, slowly reaching for Winter's neck. "Well, if you're going to save the world, I suggest you do it now. Also, if you get famous or something in the future, make sure to credit me." Nightshade whispered into Winter's ears. 

Winter actually barked a laugh and then rolled his eyes. The IceWing then pretended to push Nightshade away with force. He grabbed Moon's talons gently and smiled, "Let's go." He said. 

Moon nodded gratefully to Nightshade before she left with Winter. The two ran through the hallways silently for a few minutes. The only sound was their pants and quiet huffs as they tried to catch their breaths while still running. Finally, they reached the end of the halls and spotted the doors. 

The NightWing reached for the doors but Winter pulled back suddenly. "Wait, Moon.." He whispered into her ears. "I think I know who 'one with the heart of gold ' is!" 

Moon whirled her head at him, her eyes shining- like a hatchling who spotted a freshly hunted seal. Cute. Winter thought silently, realized what he said, and then stomped on his own foot. What in the name of the ice dragon are you thinking!? Has Darkstalker put on a spell on me?? Is this why I feel this... not yet identified feeling? Aghh-

Moonwatcher started to look at him weirdly so Winter smiled awkwardly and said, "I think it may be Kinkajou with the heart of gold." He said, double-checking, and then nodded. "She is the one with both scales like gold and a heart of gold." 

"I agree," Moon said, bobbing her head along with Winter. "Even though it wasn't her fault that we got captured, Kinkajou feels extremely guilty." 

Winter nodded again, not sure what else to say. 

Moon grinned and then elbowed him. "Then we know our next destination. It'll be hard to avoid Darkstalker, but I'm sure I can manage it-" 

Winter barked a teasing laugh. "You!?" He objected. "Oh c'mon, we all know that, I'll be the one to save the day this time! After all, I'm the almighty destined hero or something like that. WAIT- WAIT- I'M THE 'HERO' OR SOMETHING???" It finally got to him that perhaps the stake of Pyrrhia is in his talons. 

"What? You can't handle it, Mr. Almighty Destined Hero?" She asked.

"No- no- I CAN!" 

"Oh really? Well, perhaps if you find Kinkajou quicker than me without getting captured by Darkstalker. Again."

Then, Moon dashed off in silent wing beats with Winter laughing under his breath as he followed. It felt good to laugh again. And with a dragon that he has some kind of unidentified feelings for. 

(OK, would you guys prefer the next chapter to be longer but you'll have to wait longer or shorter but wait... well shorter?)