Eclipse shot across the continent till he landed somewhere between a clearing near the Bay of a Thousand Scales. There was a group of dragons and in the center was a SeaWing with black spirals in his green scales. The stick soon landed on the ground and when Eclipses picked it up and threw it off in throw distance, it didn’t return.

  It worked. He smiled to himself and then turned back to see the SeaWing surrounded by many dragons. One was another SeaWing— who looked almost exactly like that one. Then there was a SkyWing, SandWing and IceWing.

  “Nautilus, the dragonets have apparently been captured by Scarlet and they killed Dune. Webs is said to have escaped but that’s all we know. This is bad and you know without them we have nothing and this war will keep going for who knows how long.” The SkyWing hissed.

  “Oh calm down Avalanche this is all according to plan. Morrowseer foresaw this. We still have the backup plan. This war will end, we will make sure it all goes right.” Nautilus assured them.

  “Well it could still go wrong and who’s to say Webs won’t become an issue? He’s no doubt on his way to find us.” The IceWing asked.

  Eclipse tried to read his mind but it was frigid and cold that he was barely able to pick up on anything. Still the little things he did pick up were mostly about treasure and food.

  “Again, all according to plan Cirrus, Webs will come here and we’ll make sure he’s not a problem, one way or another.”

  “Father, when will I get my time to shine? I’m so sick of being cooped here and waiting. I want to do something. Important dragons like me shouldn’t be having to wait around like this.” The SeaWing pouted.

  “Soon Squid, soon you and the others will have your chance. We just have to make sure the time is right. Though with them being in Scarlet’s claws that will be one less issue.” Nautilus laughed.

  Eclipse knew this was the moment, the decision that would either destroy his world or him and the timeline was begging and screaming for him not to. It told him every way what he was doing was wrong, but Clay’s words were stronger, his will was stronger. So he leaped from the treeline and to his shock the world didn’t explode, he didn’t explode. Nothing broke, everything was still as it was, except the timelines in his head were shifting and shuffling.

  “I wouldn’t hold your breath on Scarlet getting them.”

  They all turned to face him and the IceWing instantly death glared at him. Did he know? No, there was no way. Yet something about the IceWing felt awfully familiar but not in a comforting way; a dark and wrong way, a way he strongly disliked.

  “And who are you?” Nautilus tried to sound big and tall but his mind was racing through hundreds of different worries. Mainly about Morrowseer.

  “I’m Eclipse and you’d do well to remember that name. As for the dragonets… no they’re long gone, they escaped Scarlet and did quite a number on her too. She may even be dead.”

  “Dead!?!” Avalanche shrieked. “How is that possible? How would we not know? You’re lying.”

  “No Avalanche I’m not, I saw it with my eyes. She got half her face melted off even.”

  “By what? By who?” Cirrus asked coldly.

  “Glory.” He responded firmly.

  “The RainWing? Ha. No chance in the three moons a nothing RainWing killed Scarlet.” Nautilus shook his head.

  “Well she did and anyways that’s not why I’m here, you need to bring Morrowseer here right now.” Eclipse said firmly.

  “Yeah and why would we do that? We don’t even know where he is. Plus you should be able to get to your secret island or whatever.” Cirrus rolled his eyes.

  “Come to think of it, you're not like any NightWing I’ve seen, you certainly haven’t been sent to see us before, so how do you even know our names or where to find us?” Squid quickly retorted.

  “Well I’m new… I was sent here on my first mission to assess you all and then report to Morrowseer with the findings so get him here.” Eclipse quickly responded.

  “Morrowseer doesn’t get sent for… he comes and you wait for him and didn’t you say you witnessed the dragonets kill Scarlet wouldn’t that be your first mission?” Nautilus raised a brow.

  “This clearly isn’t a NightWing, he’s some pretender… probably a RainWing disguised as one.” Cirrus bared his teeth.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “I am not a RainWing, I’m a NightWing and one who’s patience is running thin, so you better do as I ask or I’ll make sure you all regret it.” He tried to sound strong but all it did was fall flat as Cirrus shot frostbreath at him. Eclipse barely dodged and shot back fire of his own. Avalanche however blocked it with her fire and went at him too fast and sliced the side of his snout.

  “You little…” he almost enchanted something but he remembered. No frivolous enchants. You’re strong in your own way, you can beat her. She tried to spear him again but he moved the opposite way and knocked her hard with a kick; sending her crashing right in front of Nautilus.

  “Stop trying to attack me, I know how this ends for all of you and it doesn’t end well.” Eclipse barred his teeth.

  “He can probably read our minds,” Squid blurted out.

  “He probably can.” Avalanche grunted as she pulled herself up.

  How did they know that? What? Eclipse felt his wings get a bit unsteady but he managed to stabilize himself before landing back in the ground and all the dragons around him stiffened.

  “Listen, I just want to see Morrowseer, is that so hard? I really don’t want to fight any of you.” Eclipse assured them.

  “I mean I know where the island is, I can get him here… but it will cost you.” Squid said softly and with too much of a grin for Eclipse’s liking, but he was his only chance.

  “Fine, whatever you want I’ll get you, just bring Morrowseer here.” Eclipse rolled his eyes.

  “Deal,” Squid soon took off into the sky and Eclipse walked off to a nearby treat and sat down under it.

  The normal intricate web of the timeline was a bit of a mess but the future with that SandWing was still in it and her radiance and warmth filled him with a hope that he was doing the right thing. Though the new pressing matter of Morrowseer was over the horizon. The interaction between the two would have had many different results but only a few led the right way. I have to do this right and smartly… maybe one more enchant won’t hurt? The timeline didn’t show any significant shift so he knew that was the right course of action.

  He waited around most of the day and when night was almost upon them; the heavy wingbeats of Morrowseer filled Eclipse’s ears and then the thoughts of how annoyed Morrowseer was, came next. Him and Squid touched down Morrowseer let out a loud grumble.

  “Squid, why did you bring me here? You know I have important things to do and you wasting my time is certainly not one of them.” His voice boomed.

  “Well he was here earlier.” Squid’s head swiveled around.

  “Who?”

  “Me,” Eclipse stepped into view as he answered.

  “Who in the three moons are you and why aren’t you on the island? You know what Queen—”

  “What Queen Battlewinner thinks of dragonets who leave without authorization. Yeah I know.” Eclipse cut him off.

  “Why you disrespectful little lizard, perhaps I should cut out that tongue of yours so we can see how sharp it really is.” Morrowseer hissed.

  “That would not be in your best interest, Morrowseer, really it’s not. See we can help each other if you will listen.”

  “Ha,” Morrowseer boomed. “As if a sniveling, disrespectful, disobedient, and annoying dragonet could ever be of use to me. In fact I think Battlewinner would love to hear all about how your acting, maybe she’ll put you somewhere you can learn some manners”

  Eclipse could sense in Morrowseer’s mind how much he despised him at this moment. He’s trying so hard to scare me and it’s sad. Eclipse chuckled to himself. But every moment counted and this waste of time made the window to convince Morrowseer even smaller.

  “Perhaps we’ve gotten off on the wrong claw, maybe I can show you how useful I can be.” Eclipse turned to Squid. “Squid, I’d say I’d give you payment, so what would you like? What does your heart truly desire?”

  Squid’s eyes lit up at the mention of reward and his brain spiraled with endless ideas of what he wanted but then he focused on one thing and smirked. “Well Princess Anemone thinks her treasure is so beautiful and well I hate her entitled attitude. I want a crown nicer than any Princess Anemone could ever hope to have. I don’t know how you’d get something like that but I’m a patient dragon, so do take your time. I want to wipe that smug look off her stupid face.”

  “Why wait, when you could have it right now?”

  All the dragons around him shot up, especially Cirrus; whose mind seemed to hone in precisely on Eclipse.

  “A selfish desire but utterly predictable.” Nautilus rolled his eyes.

  Eclipse put his claws around a rock and looked intensely at Morrowseer. “Do pay attention, this is quite important.” Morrowseer grumbled but Eclipse ignored it. He closed his eyes and spoke. “I enchant this rock to turn into a crown that is far prettier than any Princess Anemone could even hope to possess.”

  Within a moment the rock transformed into a beautiful crown of twisted copper and gold, inlaid with sapphires, rubies and emeralds; it twisted into a neat spire and he handed it to Squid— who snatched it with all too much greed and joy.

  “That snobbish brat will finally see how amazing I am.” Squid exclaimed but everyone had one thought that Morrowseer soon answered with disdain but joy.

  “You’re an animus.” Morrowseer uttered with shock and slight elation.

  “Well yes, now do you see how important I can be? I mean surely you can’t refuse my help now.” Eclipse smirked.

  “Of course I can’t, in fact Battlewinner will love this. Oh you’re just what we need.” Morrowseer chuckled to himself.

  “When can we go?” Eclipse asked.

  “Right now, the sooner the better and oh do try to take your temper around the Queen, she doesn't quite like mouthy dragons, especially dragonets.”

  “Oh don’t worry Morrowseer, I’m quite aware.” He said with just enough venom to make Morrowseer frown. Eclipse liked annoying him, he liked how it felt like the small justice he could get his parents. Of course if and when he got the chance he’d make sure that Morrowseer got his true penance in full. For now that was behind him as they both started to flip their wings and fly.

  They reached the continent's edge and flew further still, in the distance making out a landmass with a volcano on it. He could feel the air and how gross it was from this far out and the faint, but growing emotions that spilled from the dragons on the island. All he could think to himself as he and Morrowseer got closer was:

  What… is going on and why had the timeline stopped shifting?