Listen, And The Stars Shall Speak

~Flashback~ Coalfly

A/N: Two things. 

1. What would you think of me changing the story so that Seashell ends up with Winter instead?

2. Okay, so, I LOVE your comments. They are awesome, keep em coming :), but anyways, I've noticed in some stories they've put some "Reviews" on the part where you read what the book is about before you start reading it. The reviews being some comments praising the story. And I'm considering doing the same thing, so basically what I'm asking is- Would you be alright with me quoting your comments from Just A Little Glorybringer For Ya?

That's all!

Firefly was bent over a scroll, writing and crossing out words everywhere. For hours she did this, crumpling up sheets of paper and throwing them all over the place. She wanted to scream. This had to be worded just right, or everything could spiral out of control. She knew that she shouldn't be doing this anyway, but there was no other choice. It had to be done - no matter what the consequences might be. 

Coal mentally prepared himself for death as Prickle stormed towards his cell. His brother looked madder than Coal had ever seen him. And that anger was about to be taken out on him. 

Prickle slammed him against the wall, his talons tight against Coal's throat. 

"What did you tell her?" Prickle demanded.

"Tell who?" Coal choked out. The grip tightened and Coal found himself gasping for oxygen he couldn't breath in.

"Rattlesnake." 

"What about her?" It tightened again. Color was slowly draining from his face.

"She's gone. And you were the last dragon to speak with her." Coal's eyes widened and he opened his mouth to reply, but her was unable to form words. His face was going purple.

"Prickle!" another voice yelled. At the sound, Prickle released him and Coal fell to the ground, gasping as his face returned to its natural color. Fennec stood in the doorway, his face contorted in horror.

"What?" Prickle snarled.

"You almost killed him!"

"So?" Fennec looked shocked. "He's our little brother!" Prickle glared at him.

"He is no longer our brother. Now he is nothing but a traitorous bastard." 

"Look, I get that you're upset about Rattlesnake, but you shouldn't be taking it out on-

"I CAN TAKE IT OUT ON WHOEVER I LIKE!" Prickle's talons were clenched, but Coal sensed a familiar emotion behind the rage. An emotion he didn't think his brother knew about. "HE SAID SOMETHING TO HER, AND NOW SHE'S GONE!" He turned to glare at Coal and froze. "What are you lookin at?" 

"You're in love with Rattlesnake." Coal declared, a sly smile on his face. Prickle growled and pinned him against the wall again.

"Don't ever say that word to me. Ever. What did you say to her?"

" What I said doesn't matter now." he insisted. "She'll be back."

"How do you know?" Coal smiled weakly.

"Because she's looking for the dragon that lo-" he gagged as Prickle's grip tightened. He really didn't want to hear that word. "When- when she realizes- she'll- come back!" he sputtered.

"Prickle, please let him go." Fennce begged, eyeing his brother with fear. 

Coal thought back to when they were young. Before he betrayed, before being a spy ever occurred to him, before Prickle took over the gang- before their father died. He remembered those days. Prickle was usually training with their dad, preparing to take charge at any moment. That left Fennec and Coal alone. Their mother had been killed just days after Coal's egg was laid. Their father was slowly killing every member of the gang that had done it. He never cared about his two younger sons. Prickle was his pride and joy- his heir. It made Fennec and Coal closer in a way. They'd share figs and wrestle like brothers were supposed to. But then Father had died, taking a gang leader down with him, and Prickle had taken his place. Unlike their father, he'd taken an interest in his little brothers. Prickle shifted what the gang wanted, made it about power and killing, rather than wealth and revenge. The shift shook Coal's loyalty. He didn't want to kill anyone. After the bombs started he was sure. He wanted out. And a guard named Cacti had given him the perfect chance. Coal snapped back into reality with a jolt, and then everything got weird. 

"Why would I ever-"Prickle began. And then he froze, turning to Coal. "Why are you in here?" he asked, confused. 

"What?" Coal said hoarsely, his throat sore. 

"You have to go home!" Fennec announced, equally surprised he was even there. Coal frowned as his brothers- the same ones that had been beating him senseless for weeks, were now escorting him to the door?

"You go home, and we don't want to see you back here ever again, alright?" Prickle questioned. 

"Alright?" Coal asked, seriously confused. They smiled and left him outside in the middle of the Scorpion Den.

What the.....Coal thought to himself. Suddenly it clicked. It all made sense in his head, and he took off for home. Firefly.....What have you done?