Fourth Wing AU's, Headcannons, Oneshots, Etc.

Basgaith Xaden x Fem. Reader Part 1

1018 words, enjoy!

Tiara is being postponed for a moment, I should be releasing the second chapter of this one next and then probably releasing Tiara. That one will probably have smut (I literally got so many dms about that) and I can't write that at school for obvious reasons so its taking longer.

(In this AU Violet doesn't exist)

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"Rhiannon!" I hugged my twin sister tightly. "We did it! We graduated the first year!"

"I still can't believe we survived!" She laughed. "Mom and dad are going to be so proud of us, Y/n. We can finally send letters to tell them now."

"It's going to be great," I agreed. "Your dragon is amazing, and have you seen my Red Daggertail? He's one of the biggest out here. Orion is going to destroy hundreds of Griffons someday."

"I'm going to look for Ridoc and Sawyer. Wait here, okay?"

"Yeah sure!"

I watched Rhiannon disappear into the bustling crowd of cadets and their dragons, my heart swelling with pride and excitement. The air was filled with the roars of dragons and the laughter of our fellow graduates, a symphony of celebration that echoed across the training grounds. I glanced up at Orion, my Red Daggertail, who was perched nearby, his crimson scales glinting in the sunlight.

"Hey, Orion," I called, walking over to him. "Can you believe we made it through the first year? It's only going to get tougher from here, but I know we've got this."

"Yes," He chuffed, "My last rider didn't make it through second year. But I have more faith in you." Orion seemed to wince, "I didn't have much faith in Greenock."

I grinned, and turned away. Our wingleader, Xaden Riorson, was having his own graduation ceremony with the other third-years. It was small, especially compared to the infantry and scribe celebrations. Word had it that they'd be heading to the front, which made me uneasy. Sending brand-new graduates to fight the war against Griffons seemed... unlike Navarre.

Perhaps it would be appropriate to say goodbye. He had been an excellent wingleader, after all. It would be strange, not having him around. Aetos would probably wind up being the new one, and I didn't like him as much. There was a weird aura about him.

As I approached the small gathering where Xaden stood with his fellow third-years, I hesitated. They were surrounded by well-wishers and admirers, congratulating them on their achievements and wishing them luck in their future endeavors.

I took a deep breath and stepped forward, catching Xaden's attention. He turned towards me, a smile playing on his lips.

"Congratulations, Xaden," I said, trying to sound cheerful. "It's been an honor serving under you this past year."

Xaden's smile widened, and he nodded in acknowledgment. "Thank you, Y/n. It's been a pleasure having you in my wing. You've shown great potential, and I have no doubt you'll continue to excel in the years to come."

I nodded in acknowledgment. His dragon, Sgaeyl, stood off to one side. She seemed skittish, which was unlike the big dragon. Her mate was Tairn, a black dragon that caused every other to fear both him and his mate. So why would she be nervous?

Xaden turned away, but I grabbed his hand. He clearly wasn't expecting it, his free hand intuitively reaching for one of the swords on his back.

"Wait, sorry," I said sheepishly. "It's just, I don't want to come across weird or anything, but Sgaeyl seems worried." Me and the shadow-wielder had never been very close, but it felt right to ask somehow.

"I've noticed it too," he admitted, his voice low. "She's been like this ever since we received our orders. Tairn's absence has been weighing heavily on her. Me and my cousin, who was his rider, are being sent to different posts."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" I asked, my voice tinged with genuine concern. Despite our differences, I couldn't bear to see Sgaeyl in distress. I wouldn't call myself a dragon-whisperer in any means, but seeing as she hadn't burnt me to a crisp for calling her out yet, I seemed to have been accepted.

He shrugged, "I mean, it's not really your concern is it?"

My heart fell, "Right, of course, I'm sorry. Good luck."

As the crowd dispersed and the training grounds fell silent once more, I found myself lost in thought. The clouds parted and the moon shone onto the training field. Distant mountains sent their howling wind toward me, and when it became too cold to bear I headed back.

"Y/n, there you are!" Rhiannon exclaimed. "I thought you'd been eaten by Sgaeyl!"

"Wh-what?" I stuttered.

She frowned, "Is something wrong? It's just a saying, 'cause, y'know, she's the second-biggest dragon here?"

I sighed, "Just a bit tired. Perhaps I drank too much of the lemonade."

"Perhaps..." Rhiannon seemed worried. "Tell me when you're feeling better."

"Yeah, of course."

I went back into my room and flopped onto my bed. Just as I began to drift into sleep, I heard shouting and yelling in the hallway. People thudding into the walls, a slice of a blade against flesh. I sat upright, my room wasn't warded. What if they came in here for me next? My hand went to the broadsword beside my bed, my eyes narrowing against the dim light. Were they assassins? Griffons?

Suddenly, Xaden flew into my room and slammed the door behind him, panting.

"Wingleader?" I raised a groggy eyebrow. "What's going on?"

Xaden's chest rose and fell with heavy breaths as he leaned against the door, his expression tense and grim. His usually composed demeanor was replaced by an air of urgency and concern.

"We're under attack," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Griffons have breached the wards near the north, and they're targeting the cadets. Some of are own seem to be, erm, spies."

My heart raced at his words, adrenaline coursing through my veins as the gravity of the situation sank in. Griffon attacks were not uncommon, but to have them strike so close to home was alarming.

"Griffons can't breach the wards though!" I exclaimed, "That's impossible!"

"I'm getting my Bodhi, go find the rest of the wing Y/n, we have to leave right now!"

I grabbed my saddle sack, and ran down the hallway. Bodies of people I was familiar with from other wings were strewn across the floor. Most, seemingly strangled by Xaden's shadows or cut by his blade.

I knocked on the doors of everyone I knew, yelling at them to head to the flight field.

And then I saw the body of Rhiannon.