Chapter 1 Blizzard awoke to the sound of running and yelling. He spotted Autumn in the midst of the crowd. He pushed through the crowd of dragons and stopped her. “What’s going on?” Blizzard asked. “Apparently, we had a TEST for BATTLE TRAINING TODAY!” Autumn yelled at him. Blizzard was in such shock that he almost fell down. “A TEST? WE HAD A TEST?” Blizzard nearly shouted. “Relax, worrywart, it’s just like hide-and-seek. But, if you get found, you have to do battle training for THE REST of the DAY!” Autumn yelled at him. I never know when she is kidding, or if she ISN’T, Blizzard thought. “Are you— for real? Or just kidding?” Blizzard asked. “When have I EVER been kidding?” Autumn sarcastically answered. “Good point,” Blizzard agreed. He had never seen Autumn even remotely make a joke before. She was always so serious. “Well, are you just going to stand there and get caught, or are we going to hide?” Autumn asked. As the dragons ran past them, he caught sight of Winter, and it seemed like Autumn did as well. “Uhm– hi Winter!” Autumn awkwardly said. She looked at him as he ran down the hall. She then turned towards Blizzard. “Come on! Let’s go!” She shouted at him. So bossy, Blizzard thought. As he followed her through the halls, as they sprinted, dodging dragons. They eventually halted and dove behind some large rocks. “When is she supposed to-” Blizzard asked but was cut off midway by Autumn “SHHHHHHHHHHH! WE CAN’T WIN IF WE DON’T SHUT UP!” Autumn snapped. I wish she didn’t always yell at me like that, Blizzard thought, maybe if she was nice to me, I would like her more. They both heard footsteps coming from the hallway. “Duck!” Autumn whispered. Blizzard ducked, but quickly peeked out of one of the rocks, and saw Tsunami’s shadow. “HOW CAN A BUNCH OF SQUID-BRAINED STUDENTS WHO CAN’T DO BASIC KICKING BE THIS GOOD AT HIDING?” She roared as she went deeper into the caverns. “Phew, I think we’re safe.” Blizzard whispered to Autumn. “We can’t be here for long though,” Autumn replied “Tsunami will expect that she missed something, and come back here. We should move somewhere she won’t expect.” Maybe… but you don’t have to. Something was talking to him. He looked at Autumn, but she was focused on the hole in the rocks, watching for Tsunami. Who could that be? Blizzard thought. I am your conscience. I’m just kidding! But the question is, who are you? Answer first, and I will reply. My name is Blizzard, he thought, and I am an Icewing. Oh– this might be a bad time to mention this, but I really don’t like Icewings. Why not? Blizzard asked. None of your concern, Blizzard, the strange voice replied. “Come on, let’s go,” Autumn whispered in his ear. They darted from behind the rocks, and ran down the hallway, trying to be as quiet as possible. Pssh— she’s nowhere near you. Stop being so skittish, the mysterious voice said. You still didn’t tell me your name, Blizzard thought. Do you want to know my name? the mysterious voice asked. Yes! I told you mine! I also need to know if I should be scared of you! Very well… my name is Shadowshifter. Sounds like a Nightwing name, Blizzard thought. He didn’t know whether to be frightened or not. Don’t be scared of me. And yes, I am a Nightwing. Tell me, young dragonet, have you heard of the Council of the Ancients? What— what’s that? Blizzard asked. Shadowshifter sighed. How have you not heard of it? Nope, Blizzard thought. “Stop dazing off!” Autumn almost shouted in his ear. “Alright!” Blizzard yelled. They both sprinted for the library. Starflight noticed them coming in and asked “May I help with anything?” before getting an angry “No.” to the face from Autumn. They hid behind some bookshelves, and Blizzard was eyeing the scrolls. Most were about scavengers, and animus magic, but eventually his eyes fell on the Nightwing scrolls. Blizzard reached his hand out, but his hand was promptly swatted away by Autumn. Why— seriously? Of course, I get close to the thing I need and I get swatted away. “Stop! Do you want to win?” Autumn snapped. [Continuing js uhmmmmm lazy]
me, myself, and i
