Solas

"We need you, Solas!!"

The camp had been flooded this morning with sick and injured dragons. The homestead had been ransacked by the Shade, as well as Storm Catcher's wrath. The rain, attack, and the fight had resulted in the lair collapsing in on itself, trapping many dragons within.

Solas had been at it all morning. He struggled to save each and every member of the lair. He tried his best, but by night, he had lost a good number.

It wasn't until the youngest of the dragons was brought in. He knew then and there he might not be able to save her. What was he going to do? He was being begged by the mother to heal the hatchling. She was going to perish, and he knew it. He just couldn't bring himself to say it.

Summoning up the last of his healing magic, he struggled to save the soul of the little one before him. As her eyes seemed to dim and grey over, he knew then and there he'd failed. His head drooped, sadness overwhelmed him, and he shook his head to the sobbing female dragon.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, then turned to look at the other members. Some were crying over lost parents, some over lost lovers. He had to get away from their campsite. He needed to get away from the sadness.

His wings spread, then he took flight. With each beat through the night sky, Solas couldn't help but feel as if he failed them. Why did he stay there if he was no longer useful? For once, the deaths had caught up with him. He could see their begging eyes in his mind. Why had he agreed to such a thing?

The clan didn't need him. He didn't belong. He had let them down..

"Of course you did," A voice spoke through the darkness, "You were far too weak to be able to save them all. But I can grant you the powers to do so. To bring them back."

Solas' head jerked up, then stared into the eyes of a male skydancer. His Caribbean wings were folded against his rust colored body, green eyes locked into his.

"Who are you?" Solas hissed. He felt a strange power emanating from this dragon.

"That does not matter, " The other spoke, "What does matter is how right you are. You lost countless amounts of lives. Don't you think you should bring them back? Make yourself belong again?"

"But..I.." Solas wasn't sure how to respond. He was frightened of this being.

"I can assure you, the powers you gain will be beyond what any normal healer can do. Wasn't it your old clan that claimed you were a blessed dragon of the Shade?"

"Yes! But I didn't want that!" Solas protested, "I want to be a normal dragon!!"

"Of course you do. A normal, weak being, who can't even save his own clanmates." The dragon responded, "Isn't that what you were thinking?"

It was true. Solas had been thinking that. But he wasn't going to give into such a strange and powerful being.

"Go away!!" Solas roared, "You know nothing about me! Nothing!"

"I do." The skydancer clawed at the ground, "You were once a healer for a clan that supported the Shade. You left, due to wanting to be a normal dragon. You healed your leader's mate. What was her name? Polaricht?"

"For one thing, He is a he! Second.." He shut his mouth. The dragon was right.

"Don't you want to feel the power to save everyone?"

"No!" The wildclaw was growing weary of this stranger, "Get out of my sight! Go away!"

"You're making a foolish mistake. You'll come back to me soon enough." With that, the dragon seemed to disappear into the shadows.

Solas wondered what he meant, but didn't look any further into it. He could faintly hear his voice being called.

Each member of the clan had come looking for him. He silently wondered why, but he also knew why. He was home. That was important. It didn't seem like they were angry with him. Far from it. In fact, they seemed worried.

Polaris landed before him. Her face had a small worried smile upon it. She came a bit further and gave a comforting nuzzle to the healer, whispering a few words into his ear about how worried they had been, and how they were thankful he was okay.

"Is everything alright?" Polaricht asked, "It's not your fault, y' know."

"I know," Solas responded, bowing to the white dragon. "I just...could not bear the sadness."

"You're going to have to get used to it, " Polaris spoke, "We're going to be grieving for a while. But that doesn't mean you're not welcome."

It was like the female guardian could sense his thoughts. He eyed her and nodded. She was indeed correct. He did belong. That was important to remember.

"Thank you," He gave a small smile. "Let us find a new home."

With that, the dragons started their journey. The discovered a cave not too far from their old lair, which allowed them to grow even more. Soon, the cave was filled with laughter, young ones, and a growing family. But each year, they held a memorial for those who perished, and those that had been saved by Solas' healing powers.

The wildclaw could remember the conversation he had with the strange dragon, but he knew he belonged to this clan. He knew life and death happened, and he knew that in the end, he was just as strong as the rest. That was what he always wanted. That was what he always desired. This was home.

(Written by Noobat)

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Art!

Art by DeviBrigard (thank you Devi!)