By All The Moons

“Moon?” Qibli softly knocked on the door.

“Qibli, is that you?” Moon’s quiet voice came through the doorway.

“Yeah. Can we talk?”

“Is this about Darkstalker again?”

“What do you think?”

“Well…Qibli…”

“Moon, please.”

“Qibli…what about Winter?”

“Who?”

“Winter. Please tell me that Darkstalker didn’t put any spells on you again.”

“No, he didn’t.”

“Well then. Winter?”

“I…remember him. My best friend, right?”

“Yes.”

“What about Winter? I know he’s dead.”

“...”

“Moon?”

“Darkstalker has wiped out the last of the IceWings.”

“......Moon.”

“I know.”

“Is Kinkajou okay?”

“Yeah, but he’s killed Turtle.”

“Turtle…? I…no!”

“Qibli?”

“Yes, my love?”

“I love you.”

“Me too.”

“Promise me you’ll stay safe.”

“Always, Moon. Always. Now, you promise me.”

“I…can’t. Darkstalker’s dangerous. And being his girlfriend?”

“You should have picked me.”

“You know I couldn’t. I had no choice.”

“...”

“Goodnight, Qibli.”

“Sleep well, Moonwatcher.”

– ☾☼ –

“Moon? It’s me, again,” Qibli sighed.

“Qibli, go away!” Moon roared. “Darkstalker’s pounding me with visions that are nonsense!”

“I’m sorry!”

“No…nevermind. Don’t go—NO, DARKSTALKER!”

“I…should leave you alone, right?”

“No! Qibli—don’t, please!”

“I…”

“KINKAJOU!”

“Moon! I’m coming in!”

“...Qibli…my love…by all the moons, thank you.”

“Moon? Are you okay?”

“...No.”

“Well, what can I—”

“Qibli, we’re in hard times now, but we’ll get through it, no matter—”

“Moon!”

“DARKSTALKER, STOP!”

“GET OUT OF MOON’S HEAD, CREEPY DEATH MON-”

“Qibli, that’s enough.”

“Oh…”

“...Thank you.”

“Anytime, Moon.”

– ☾☼ –

“The air is stormy tonight,” Moon breathed.

“Moon, you’re talking crazy. I’d stay away from Darkstalker,” Kinkajou offered.

“Kink, that’s nice of you, but I need to protect Qibli.”

“But Qibli grew up in the Scorpion Den! I’m sure he’ll be fine on his own.”

“No! You don’t see…Darkstalker threatened to kill him if I didn’t stay his girlfriend.”

“Well, that’s not right.”

“It isn’t…but, you see that we’re in super hard times now, and so…all we have to do is survive.”

“Moon…”

“Kink, I’d stay away from this. Please. Go home. Queen Glory will take care of you.”

“But, Moon, I need you!”

“You don’t. I said, go home!”

“Moonwatcher…”

“Goodbye, Kinkajou.”

“Moon…”

– ☾☼ –

“Moon!” Darkstalker exclaimed.

“Hi,” Moon said shyly.

“Moon, I’ve been meaning to talk to you.”

“What about?”

“Well…I need you to stay away from Kinkajou and Qibli.”

“Why?”

“I need you. All to myself, I dare to add.”

“...”

“Look, Moon, those two are really influencing you in ways I cannot stop. So, I’ll kill them if they try to come anywhere near you.”

“Darkstalker…”

“No, Moon. You’ll still get to see them, but—”

“You’ll kill them either way! Just like Winter and Turtle!”

“Winter was born bad, and Turtle was dangerous! You have no idea what that kind of power can do to someone. You’ve never seen it.”

“Oh, I’ve seen it alright.”

“Really? When?”

“Right now. In you. You’re turning insane! I don’t even know if I can be with you anymore!”

“…Moonwatcher!”

“You better not invade my brain!”

“Oh, you know me well, Moon.”

“Hmph!”

“MOON! Come back! …Please!”

– ☾☼ –

“Moon!” Secretkeeper cried.

“Mother!” Moon yelled, embracing her mother in her wings.

“Moon, my baby, I’ve been so worried! How’s King Darkstalker? Is he going to wipe out the SeaWings next? Or is he going to actually do something for his kingdom for once? How are things between the two of you? Is everything going okay? Do you need—”

“Mother! Mother, stop thinking so much. You’re overloading my mind. Please, I’m fine!”

“Moon, baby! You obviously aren’t okay!”

“Mother?”

“Yes, Moonwatcher?”

“Protect me from the death monster.”

“...”

“Please…”

– ☾☼ –

“Please!” Secretkeeper screamed.

“I can’t let you keep her from me!” Darkstalker howled.

“No!”

“GUARDS!”

“No! Moon, my bab-”

– ☾☼ –

“T-T-The D-D-D-Darkstalker?” Jambu whimpered, dropping his papaya.

“Where’s Kinkajou?” Darkstalker snarled.

“W-With Queen G-Glory! Don’t kill me!”

“Don’t worry, little RainWing. You’re safe…for now.”

– ☾☼ –

“Darkstalker!” Glory hissed.

“Ah, Queen Glory. Just the dragon I was looking for.” Darkstalker mused.

“Why?”

“For Kinkajou, of course.”

“I won’t let you come near any of my subjects!”

“Mmm, but you will. I can kill you with a single glance.”

“You haven’t ever seen the effects of RainWing venom. Would you like to experience it yourself?”

“Oh, I have. I just healed it, don’t you see?”

“Um-”

“Glory, my power is far more dangerous than it is in the legends. Who dies, you or Kinkajou?”

“Me!”

“So willing to protect your subjects. I see.”

“See what?”

“You’re one of the very few dragons I like. Too bad I’ll have to kill you to kill Kinkajou.”

“Fine.”

“We could have ruled together. We could have had peace. Instead, the NightWings must declare war on the RainWing tribe. Try me. You’ll see my real power.”

“You will never come near Kinkajou, nor any of my–”

“Oh, but I will,” Darkstalker grinned, his teeth flashing with blood.

– ☾☼ –

“Darkstalker?” Qibli asked quietly.

“What is it?”

“Well, as your royal advisor, I would think that I could give you a little piece of advice.”

“Yeah, I guess. But I don’t really think I need it.”

“Could you maybe…stop killing dragons? You’re really hurting Moon, and I don’t think either of us want to do that.”

“But I didn’t kill Kinkajou! ……Yet? I was stopped by RainWings, so I mean…”

“Darkstalker!”

“What?”

“You were going to kill me, too.”

“No! I would never-”

“Uh-huh.”

“Fine! I’m going to my room.”

“See you later.”

“Wait.”

“...”

“Why do you care?”

“About Moon?”

“Yeah. She’s my girlfriend, not yours.”

“Well…she’s my…friend.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“Hmm.”

– ☾☼ –

“Moon!” Qibli cried, barging into the bedroom.

“Qibli!” Moon yelled.

“Moon, I think Darkstalker wants to kill me.”

“But–why—what?”

“You knew.”

“No!”

“Deep down, we all knew he wasn’t a good dragon.”

“Qibli, I…”

“I know you trusted him.”

“Qibli. I made promises.”

“......Oh, Moon.”

“Qibli. We have to go now, though, if we have any chance or hope of surviving.”

“I know.”

“I’m sorry I convinced us to go on this quest to save him.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“It is! ...Qibli, I broke the world.”

“So then let’s fix it.”

“But…we can’t.”

“We can try.”

“Qibli, you are the kindest, most determined dragon I’ve ever met, and I know I can always count on you for everything.”

“You’ve already told me that!”

“I have?”

“Yes! A million times! …And, I think the same about you.”

“Aww, Qibli…”

“...I love you, Moonwatcher.”

“I love you too.”