Wings of Honor: Bad Moon Rising

Chapter 23: Truth Be Told

Winter turned to me and Moon, agony written across his face. She knew what he was asking me, even though his mind couldn't put it into clear thoughts yet.
"It's true," I said, scanning through Icicle's thoughts. "At least, that's what Scarlet has told her. Scarlet could be lying, but Icicle believes her."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Winter cried to his sister.
"Because you're worthless," she spat. "And I didn't want to waste time arguing with your sensitive moral sensibilities."
"She means she didn't want to be talked out of it," Moon said fiercely, standing with me. "And she knew you would try, and you might even have succeeded, because you're not worthless; you're smart and brave and capable of caring about other dragons."
"Is it really true, though?" He asked, a question not quite for neither me, Moon or Icicle. "Hailstorm isn't dead?"
Icicle narrowed her eyes and flicked her tail, weighing the possibilities. "There's still time," she hissed at him. "We could still kill the dragonets and get him back."
Winter hesitated, wavering. The memories of his brother were warm and tense, loving and terrible at the same time. Marvin shook his head, thinking of his own little brother. Both of them missed them desperately. But Winter needed to atone for the guilt of losing him in the first place.
But he shook his head. "Not with more killing. Not for Queen Scarlet. It won't work."
"Fine," Icicle snarled. "I hope you choke on a walrus and die."
She whirled and dove out the nearest window, tearing straight through the leaf pane and letting in a burst of too-bright sunlight, dazzling us.
"Icicle! Stop!" Me and Winter yelled. He ran to the window and leaned out.
"Come back! We can find him together!" He yelled. There was no response. In the fading echoes Moon could hear as Icicle flew away, she saw that the IceWing was planning to find Queen Scarlet and complete her mission somehow. The dragonets were still far from safe.
Behind the desk, Qibli groaned, and Moon darted over to him as he sat up gingerly. His pale yellow scales were dented and bruised and his amber earring had been nearly torn out of his ear, making a small, ragged tear where the hole had been. Bleeding a little bit.
Six-Claws said it was idiotic to get this, he thought, touching his earring with a wince. I can't believe I let an IceWing knock me out. Thorn would be unimpressed. I should have started with a fireburst to her face, but I thought she was going to attack Moon and I just jumped in without thinking. Stupid, impulsive, everything Thorn says I need to learn to fix.
Moon reached toward him and then hesitated. "Can I —?" she asked.
He met her eyes and nodded. She took one of his warm talons in hers and gently felt his head. There was a sizable bump over one eye and a couple of claw marks slashed across his chest, but nothing as bad as she'd feared, considering Icicle's formidable claws.
"That's right," Qibli said. He tried to stand up, flinched, and sat down again. "She'd better run. I was just resting for part two: the crushening! Where I do some — crushing — and it's — very impressive — I think I'd better lie down."
Now Marvin was on the case, looking him over. He sighed in annoyance.
"You'll live, Qibli." Administering morphine and trying to make him comfortable.
As will you, said Darkstalker, sounding pleased. At least for now. Tomorrow —
"Let's not think about tomorrow right this second, I suggested. And by the way ... thank you."
Moon smiled.

"Moon. Wait."
I caught her in the hallway. I nearly dropped down in front of her, out of breath.
"Grace? Wha—"
I realized she was now looking up at me.
"Yeah, I've grown. I've been told. I haven't been entirely honest with you." She looked startled. "Moon. Actualy, we should talk in private."
I spotted Turtle out the corner of my eye. She pulled me into a small cave and shut the door.
"What is it?"
"Grace... I'm not actually who you think I am."
"Wha- I don't understand."
"I'm... a time traveler... Moon."
It all fell onto her. I knew she could see in my mind.
"H-how?"
"Amimus magic... from a scavenger." She blinked in disbelief. "Scavengers apparently have animus magic. Long story. Not relevant. Not Marvin. But, me? I'm... you already know I'm a mindreader and prophet." Moon nodded slowly. "I also can do this." I opened my mouth and spat venom, dissolving a potted plant in the corner.
"Woah." She gasped.
"Yeah. I also have fire resistant scales. I can withstand fire for a bit longer than everyone else, and I can touch firescales like Peril." She nodded in silence. "And you've already seen me do this." I cloaked in front of her. She looked around blankly.
"Grace?"
"Yeah." I reappeared in front of her. "And..." ugh. Should I tell her? This is dangerous.
"Whatever it is, you can tell me."
I hung my head, nodding. "I just... Okay." I picked up a rock. "Turn into one of those fire globes." I spoke to it. It morphed into a glowing glass sphere. Moon stared at it with wide eyes, then at me.
"You-"
"Have the same powers as Darkstalker? Yeah. Even a few more."
"I... I don't know."
I could feel her worry and concern mounting.
"But I'm not evil. Or... at least, I haven't dont anything anyone would consider evil." Unless you consider spying on people for three days as evil. "But I figure I should tell you, get you up to speed."
Moon sat down, thinking things over with a blank stare. I sat down with her, wrapping my wing around her.
"I'm not here to hurt anybody. I'm like you. But... I also don't want you to hate me, I guess. Figured I needed to tell the only other person like me."
We sat in silence for a while.
"Grace?" She said quietly. I looked over to her. "Would you like to be friends?"
I couldn't hide smiling, tears formed in my eyes.
"I'd love to."
She stuck her head into me, sighing. I layed mine on her, covering her, keeping her safe and warm. I took a deep and calm breath.
"I promise nothing will happen to you. I'll keep you safe. I'll keep you all safe. I'll do my best. I promise..."
She only leaned further into me, sending me warm and comforting thoughts. We shared our sentiment for a little while longer.
"So I guess I'm like the first person you've told willingly."
"Actually no. Everyone doesn't know, but tell them as you wish. Only Stonemover knows completely." I facepalmed. "Oh Stonemover! I got to go get him food."
I stood up. I felt Moon miss my warmth. It reminded her of her mother. I hesitated, but went back and picked her up.
"I know. But... we have to be strong. Can you be strong for me Moon?"
"Yeah." She nodded. "I can."
"Thank you. And... it's my recommendation you go tell Sunny everything that just happened, tomorrow."
"They deserve to know." She curled her tail in and surrounded herself with her wings, forming a sort of cocoon.
"And I'll be there right with you if you want. You don't have to walk this path alone if you don't want to."
I saw in her mind that she already viewed me as a role model. A beacon of light and happiness and bravery. I hung my head, a little embarrassed.
"But you are."
"I know. Everyone tells me that." I motioned with my head. "Come on Moon. Let's go back."
I walked her out the door. Marvin was leaning against it, taking a few swigs from his canteen.
"You ready Grace?" He only said.
Moon looked at him, a good look for the first time.
"Yeah. Let's go."
Marvin swung onto me. I turned back to Moon.
"Stay safe, okay?"
She nodded. "I will."
I nodded back, starting up the corridors. I felt her looking on... until we rounded the corner.