Reborn stirred, blinking the sleep from her eyes as a dull ache pulsed at her temples. Suddenly, a dark voice echoed within her mind, silky and seductive.

So it's really you, my love.

Reborn froze, her scales prickling with a sense of dread. No... you can't be alive. I mean, I had to know if there were any other dragons named Darkstalker, but it can't be you, she babbled, her thoughts racing.

The voice chuckled, the sound sending shivers down her spine. Come to Stonemover's cave and see for yourself, my love.

Reborn's claws clenched reflexively. Why? What have you done to him? she spat, her usual composure crumbling in the face of this ancient evil.

Oh, nothing too terrible, Darkstalker purred, his voice dripping with mock innocence. He's simply... indisposed at the moment. But I'm sure he'd be delighted to see you. After all, you're the reason I've been trapped in this wretched cave for so long.

Reborn's mind whirled, memories and fears colliding in a chaotic storm. How could this be happening? Darkstalker, the legendary dragon she had only read about in whispered tales, was alive and speaking directly to her mind. And he somehow knew who she was - or, rather, who she used to be.

Come to me, my love, Darkstalker coaxed, his voice caressing her thoughts like a lover's touch. Let's finally be together, as we were always meant to be.

Reborn's claws trembled as she fought the pull of Darkstalker's influence. She had to warn the others, to get as far away from this place as possible. But a part of her - a part she had long buried - yearned to know the truth, to understand the connection Darkstalker claimed they shared.

With a shuddering breath, she steeled her resolve and pushed back against the voice in her head. I'm not your love, Darkstalker. Stay away from me and my friends, or you'll regret it.

The ancient dragon's laughter echoed in her mind, cold and cruel. We shall see, my dear. We shall see.

Darkstalker's laughter echoed in Reborn's mind, chilling her to the core, before his presence finally receded. Shaken to her very foundation, Reborn stumbled out of her sleeping den, her talons scrabbling against the smooth stone as she fled the confines of the mountain.

She burst out onto a narrow ledge, the cool night air rushing over her scales as sobs wracked her body. Reborn's wings trembled, her talons clenching and releasing in a futile attempt to ground herself.

Suddenly, a familiar presence enveloped her - soft, cool wings wrapping around her shaking form. "Oh, Reborn, I'm so sorry. I should have told you about him," Moon's gentle voice murmured.

Reborn leaned into her friend's comforting embrace, her tail curling around Moon's as she fought to regain control of her raging emotions. "H-how could this be happening?" she choked out, hot tears spilling down her cheeks. "Darkstalker... he can't be alive. And he knows who I am - or, at least, who I used to be."

Moon's talons stroked Reborn's neck in a soothing gesture, her own scales shifting to muted shades of indigo and violet that mirrored Reborn's distress. "I'm so sorry," she repeated, her voice laced with guilt. "I should have warned you, but I was afraid of how you might react. I didn't want to burden you with this knowledge."

Reborn shook her head, momentarily burying her face against Moon's shoulder. "It's not your fault," she whispered, her voice muffled. "How could you have known this would happen?" She pulled back, meeting Moon's concerned gaze. "What does he want from me? From us?"

Moon's eyes held a deep sadness, her talons squeezing Reborn's comfortingly. "I don't know," she admitted. "But I promise, I won't let him hurt you. We'll figure this out, together."

Reborn nodded, drawing strength from her friend's unwavering support. Though the weight of Darkstalker's revelation threatened to crush her, she knew that with Moon by her side, she had the courage to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

The sound of rapidly approaching talons and wings echoed across the narrow ledge, drawing Reborn and Moon's attention. A pair of dragons emerged into view - a SandWing and an IceWing, their scales glinting in the moonlight.

"There you two are!" the SandWing panted, flaring his wings as he slowed his pace. "We were worried when we just saw Reborn running out of her cave."

He turned his gaze to Reborn, who had sunk to the floor, her sobs wracking her frame. Winter and Qibli exchanged a concerned look, and Moon wrapped her smaller wings protectively over the larger dragon.

"Shh, shh," Moon murmured, her voice soft and soothing. She cast an apologetic glance at the newcomers. "Something... happened. Reborn's upset."

Winter stepped forward, his icy blue eyes filled with worry. "Is there anything we can do to help?" The IceWing's usual cool demeanor had been replaced by genuine concern.

Qibli hovered nearby, his tail twitching with nervous energy. "We're here for you, Reborn. Whatever's going on, you don't have to face it alone."

Reborn lifted her head, her scales dull and lifeless compared to their usual vibrant sheen. "Darkstalker..." she choked out, the name a whispered curse. "He's alive. And he... he knows who I am."

The two male dragons stiffened, their eyes widening in alarm. Winter's talons flexed reflexively, while Qibli's tail coiled tighter around his haunches.

"Darkstalker?" Qibli breathed, his voice barely above a whisper. "But that's impossible. He was supposed to be -"

"Trapped," Winter finished, his gaze hardening. "If he's escaped, then we're all in grave danger."

Moon met their worried expressions with a solemn nod. "We have to warn the others. But right now, Reborn needs us."

The SandWing and IceWing exchanged a silent look, then moved closer, their wings extending to encompass both Reborn and Moon in a protective embrace. Reborn leaned into their warmth, drawing strength from the presence of her friends.

As the night wind swept across the ledge, Reborn knew that she was no longer alone in facing the looming threat of Darkstalker's return. With her friends by her side, she would find the courage to confront the darkness that had once claimed her.