CounterPart

31 | Perfectly Imperfect

Just a little further, was what she told herself every time she felt the accumulations of scratches on her wings, or the aching pleas of her muscles. She was going to find Clay and Squid. She was going to warn them before it was too late, and do all in her power to help them.

Sunny was a dragon who was going to show Peril how she could change, just like she'd shown Squid. And nothing in this world could make her give up, not even the howling of the wind, or the full moon above her, or - 

The flickering light from the side of the cliff edge up ahead?

Sunny did a double take, her wings flailing out in mid-air to catch her, like a golden sail. But who would be camping out here at night? It couldn't be them, could it? Had she caught up already?

Something rather like excitement or anticipation began to bubble in Sunny's chest as she glided in a beeline towards the cave; the moon casting ripples on her sunset wings. The night sky seemed to bring out the stars in the NightWing side of her, and her scales and wings were glowing gently white.

She came close to the entrance, now, and could listen in to snatches of conversation travelling between the two dragons. One of them was unmistakably Clay, though his words were muffled. And the other - her heart gave a jittery flip - was Squid.

"I can't believe you never read the Dragonets of Destiny scroll." Clay was saying, the familiar shadow on the cave wall shaking its head.

"I told you, I was never that good at reading." Squid retorted. "Happy?"

"Maybe you should come and study at Jade Mountain!" 

"No WAY. I'm older than you!" He protested. Clay started laughing, and then Squid joined in too, and Sunny worked to conceal her surprise despite being alone. Looks like being with Clay for this long... has changed Squid. Again. This dragon keeps surprising me!

She decided it was time to go in at last, but every way she could think of seemed wildly awkward, so she settled for knocking politely on the wall. The talking ceased and silence draped the three dragons. "Who's there?" Squid called, warily.

"Squid, it's ... me. Just me." She held her claws up. 

There was a skidding talon-screech around the cave corner, and all of a sudden Sunny found herself face to face with Squid, inches away from his face, and his eyes - they stared inquiringly into hers.

"Sunny. What - how...?" He trailed off into disbelieving gibberish.

"Don't. I'm not going back now, anyway. I'm here to join you, and - to warn you." She stood up taller, shoulders squared, as Clay rounded the corner and his eyes lit up. 

"SUNNY!" He roared.

"Clay - oof - okay!" She laughed, as he barreled into her and tackled her into a hug. Sunny patted his shoulder affectionately as he regained composure. Meanwhile Squid watched the whole display with a mildly embarrased and envious look upon his face.

"How did you catch up to us?" Squid asked. "You must've left almost immediately afterwards!"

"Midday the next morning, actually. Apparently I fly fast when I've got the lives of loved ones on the line." She admitted shyly, then remembered Squid was supposed to have rejected her, and shook her head abashedly. "Sorry, wrong words."

Though Squid's face was a perfect shade of crimson.

"And you came after us alone?" Clay said with wonder.

"Yes. I'm here now, so don't even think about trying to get rid of me." She added indignantly.

"Clay, I'm sure Sunny's hungry. Why don't you get some food?" Squid said loudly. Clay seemed to think this was a great idea, for seconds later he was prancing off to the clearing, spewing a great list of all the types of chicken he'd brought and which one might be best for regaining strength and which one might taste best cooked and which one -