Wings Of fire: Shadowstalker

Chapter 44: The King

One day later, the rainforest had been cleaned up and fixed. Queen Glory and King Deathbringer were released from their stasis, and were back to ruling their kingdom. The Nightwing soldiers were ordered to carry Darkstalker back to the kingdom. The tribe and the few seawings flew over the mountains, Shadow taking the lead. As he soared into the night kingdom, he saw the grand structure of the palace appear, as well as the great diamond. He was home.

"This is the night kingdom?" Starshifter asked as she held onto him. She'd ride on his back the whole way, which he didn't mind. The sun was setting on the western horizon and the air was slowly cooling down. As beautiful as the rainforest was, all Nightwings much preferred the climate of their natural kingdom.

"Yeah.. this is where I grew up, and where you and I will be ruling, if you'd still like to." Shadow mumbled. He still hadn't been feeling too well after everything that went down. Despite all this, he did have a speech prepared for the Nightwings. Once he arrived at the great diamond, he landed on the stage with a thud. The Nightwings carrying Darkstalker set him down on the ground beside him.

"Go gather everyone you can. Do not waste time." He said to a group of soldiers. They nodded and went off in several directions. The king then sat up and waited for a bit as dragons gathered before him. Minute by minute the crowd got larger, and hundreds of Nightwings were waiting and staring. Some talked and muttered to each other, and others were shocked to see Darkstalker's lifeless body.

"Nightwings!" Shadow boomed and stood, spreading his wings to them. "Darkstalker is no longer your king, for I have defeated him in a royal challenge!" He pointed towards Darkstalker with his tail. "Any and all of his plans for Pyrrhian domination are cancelled." He glanced down at the crowd with a stern yet confident look on his face. The tribe was shocked, but slowly they began to bow and cheer.

"And, in addition. I will be forming a new council, some of them will keep their job, some will not. Nighthawk will be my general, should he accept." He turned to Nighthawk, who smiled up at him.

"Certainly lad! No reason to say no."

"Perfect.. now then, you are all dismissed." He grumbled. They bowed once again. Some looked upset or angry, but there was nothing they could do. After a while everyone was back to their normal routines, and Shadow sat with his friends on the pavilion. Starshifter gently hugged his arm with a small happy sigh.

"Good speech." Tempest nudged him gently. "Almost as good as something I could make!"

"I'm sure.. let's get to the palace." Shadow said calmly before turning to head back. However to his surprise, Moonglow was standing there with a mix of sadness and happiness on her face. "Mother.."

"So he's really dead.." Moonglow sounded heartbroken, and deep down he was too. He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "I.. I knew he wanted you to rule one day but I never imagined it would happen like this- wow.."

"Mom.. I'm sorry- he really left me no-" She lifted a talon up to his snout and he stopped.

"I understand. It's okay son.. I'm proud of you." Shadow's wings drooped and he looked down at her. He couldn't help but feel a little guilty. "I know what you're thinking.. He was my husband, but after he attacked you we started fighting. He wasn't the same, it's okay.. you saved us."

"Alright.." Shadow sighed and rest his head over hers for a few seconds. After a while he pulled back and looked towards Starshifter. "This is my girlfriend. She's going to be the queen, at some point."

"Really? I heard about the letter Mindwatcher sent, how awful. Darkstalker told me about it, and it was his idea to send it.. I locked her up if you'd like to have a few words with her. Nobody talks to my children that way! Royal or not."

"Hah..I love you mom, alright."

"Nice to meet you, Moonglow." Starshifter bowed and stood up. "Shadow told me a lot about you, he's very sweet." She smiled and rubbed his cheek, squishing his face around slowly.

"Hey- we agreed not in front of my family-" Shadow rumbled as his snout reddened, getting a little embarrassed. Moonglow laughed and shook her talon.

"I'll tell you all his embarrassing secrets and baby stories." She grinned.

"Mom!"

"Oh shush. It was inevitable." She pat his shoulder and walked to Darkstalker's body. Once she arrived she sighed deeply and closed his eyes for him. "Such a shame it didn't work out, he really did have a sweet side to him.." She frowned and eyes watered. "We'll have to bury him."

"That's fine.. I'll set up a funeral, but I need to get home, where are my siblings?" He asked and stood.

"They were in the palace but I think they might be planning to sneak up on you." She hinted and sat with Darkstalker. "So do with that information what you will."

"Oh, alright then." Shadow stood and glanced at Tempest and Lobster. "You two are more than welcome to stay for a while, if you'd like."

"Much appreciated! Let's go to Nighthawk's." Lobster suggested.

"Aye, let's go." Nighthawk spread his wings and flapped into the air. "Take care lad, see you later." He saluted and the four went off towards his home. Shadow watched them fly off. After they were gone he began to head home, finally, after nearly two months he was home. Starshifter walked beside him, as did Moonglow. The three made their way home. After a while some guards joined them for protection. Everything was going to be better, but he had one last dragon to take care of.

Mindwatcher.