She's One Tough Mother

It was a beautiful night when the carnival was in town. The sounds of the machines running and the music blaring would be off-putting if the creatures of the Coalfell forest hadn't grown used to such activities on a yearly basis. Disciple, Shaddis and the chicks were sitting on the branch outside of their home and watching the pretty lights dance in the dark. The parents were quite exhausted from pulling a day shift this time around as they had been hearing the sound of saws in the distant and worried about their home. Though they wouldn't deny their children a chance to enjoy some of the sights while the noise makers were in town. When Disciple began nodding off she decided it was time to sleep and ushered the children inside. They softly chattered about what they saw as Shaddis was the last in. The tired mom apologized to her babies but she and father were far too exhausted tonight and perhaps they could stay up longer tomorrow. They chirped in disappointment but in the end were understanding. Least they would get to see it tomorrow! Tomorrow was not destined to come for the family though as a fire began tearing through Coalfell. The screeching of machines and screaming of both people and animal alike stirred the owl family awake and into full blown panic. One look outside their nest told them everything they needed to know, the huge blaze slowly engulfing the town.

"Isci, get the children to safety."
"What about you"
"I have to help these creatures. They depend on me."
"Shaddis we cannot linger here!"
"I know Isci. I need to help the ones going toward the fire. After that I will retreat and meet with you. Okay?"
"...Okay."
"I love you very much my dear."
"I love you eternally, Shady."

They gently nuzzled one another before Disciple went inside and retrieved her children. Sal was much too big to carry in her talons but thought if she could get him to glide she could fly underneath him and keep him airborne. He was reluctant but they had no time for such things and she pushed him off the branch and grabbed the other two in her talons. Before Sal could hit the ground she swiftly swooped beneath him and helped him learn how to flap his wings and use the air to glide. Though it did feel like the air was being choked by that awful fire behind them. Once they had gotten quite the distance away from the danger she turned to Sal and told him she was going after his father. Sal was hesitant to let her go but she did promise she would be back and finally let her talon go. It didn't take her long to fly back as it seemed as if the higher power above gave her the strength needed to boost her way back. She didn't spot Shaddis for a bit but took a page out of his book and began helping some of the other critters in hopes the pair would run into each other. Disciple eventually ran across a feral mother cat who was yowling by a wire fence, one of her kittens stuck in one of the holes. She flew over to offer assistance but was unable to pull the kitten out without harming them. She then tried to pull apart the fence when she felt another winged presence land opposite of her and on the other side of the kitten.

"Shaddis!"
"Keep pulling! We have to get them out!"
"It's no use! The fence is too strong!"

Both she and Shaddis pulled with all their might but were unable to make so much as a dent. The fire was gaining on them and they were running out of time. Shaddis let out a hoot and finally pulled the kitten without causing too much damage. The mother cat was thankful and took off though the pair of owls did not realize the fence had tilted far enough to fall, landing directly on Disciple and trapping her. Water welled up in her eyes as she knew there was no escaping this.

"This is it, isn't it?"
"No my dear, I will free you I swear!"
"There is no time. You must go. For our family."
"I cannot leave you like this."
"You have to, there is no choice."
"There is ALWAYS a choice!!"
"Not this time Shaddis."
"..."
"You have been a wonderful mate my dear Shaddis. I could never forget you, no matter how many eternities pass."
"I..."

Disciple watched as Shaddis had began to fly away when an explosion rang out. The black tar-like substance she had seen earlier seemed to coat him and cause his body to burn. She watched as his feathers curled up in smoke. She screeched and screeched for him but he did not hear her as he lost consciousness. She then started to wiggle and push against the fence in hopes of lifting it off herself. She barely looked up in time to see a rather large boot come down, dealing the final damage she needed to cease breathing.

When Disciple awoke she found herself on what seemed like a fluffy cloud. It was carrying her toward some sort of building though she was too busy wondering how a literal cloud could even carry her as they weren't supposed to be solid! A hole opened up in the bottom and she gently slid out and onto the beautiful marbled stairs of the building she was delivered to. She shakily got to her feet and looked around, the place was absolutely stunning. The white marble was gilded and cast a beautiful spider's web of a design on almost every surface it touched. The clouds looked just like the treats that Shaddis called "cotton candy", they were so fluffy and soft looking. Almost as if you could reach out and pet them! She waited a bit on these stairs before taking off, unsure of what was going on or why she was even here. Was she dead? Was this heaven? Or purgatory perhaps? It was then she realized her beautiful cinnamon colored feathers had grown white and mixed well with her grey and black speckles. It was like she had developed a winter coat but it was oh so fluffy! Her feathers were fluffed out and made her appear much larger. Looked as if she had just been washed, dried and spotted a threat and thus had to make herself look bigger to scare it away! She was amazed but also scared. Shaddis wasn't here and her children still needed her back in the land of the living, that is, if she was truly dead after all. She looked around and didn't see a soul. No other creature. No one to ask questions to. She sure didn't feel like some 'wise old owl' now. Eventually Disciple came across a patch of clouds that looked solid enough to land on and so she did. She began pondering her predicament, wondering where she was and how in the world she was gonna get back to care for her children. Her mind was racing a million miles per hour as she tried to come up with some sort of strategy to solve this problem. She did not realize a huge creature behind her lifting their head and turning to look at her though she did feel a bit of wind and turned to see what had caused it. Seeing a giant's eyeball peering at her caused her to hoot out in horror and take to the sky, getting far enough away out of the danger zone but close enough to observe. A giant snake? She followed the head and tried to find their tail but it was no such luck as this thing seemed to swirl around the entire area, in and out of the clouds. They stared at each other for a moment before a low, strained voice seemed to fill her mind.

"Hello."
"...Hello?"
"Can you hear me?"
"I think... In my head?"
"I am the creature you flew from."

Disciple looked down and noticed the snake had lifted it's head and offered a shy smile. She dipped her head in return and flew a bit closer to it though didn't want to be up in their business. The creature called himself Religious though went by Gio to those he he allowed to call him such. Disciple asked if she was allowed and he granted her the permission. In return she gave him permission to call her Isci. She learned through him that she was supposed to go through a process at the 'library', a place full of books and records. Apparently there's some kind of record of every Guardian that comes through and she'll need to go through this process to become official. She asked what the purpose of these Guardians were and Gio replied that they all have their own unique purpose for why they are the way they are. Some protect the innocent, some find joy in helping people with day to day tasks. Others stay hidden and work from the shadows. All depends on the individual. Isci told him she didn't think she was a good fit for this place as she didn't think she had any sort of purpose. Gio proved her wrong by recounting her final moments and times before then when she was not only helpful to those who needed assistance but her protected her family with pride. She quietly listened as he recounted her tale and realized that while she may become a Guardian... that doesn't mean she can't help her family! She could be with them even in this state. Even if they couldn't truly see her, she would be there for them. Gio nodded and informed her that she found her purpose. Congratulations! They spoke for a bit longer before Disciple needed to head off and do what she needed to do to become a Guardian. Gio asked that she not inform anyone that he had spoke to her as he has somewhat of a reputation to uphold. She nodded and promised him their talks would always be a secret and that he could speak to her as much as he liked. He thanked her and sent her on her way. The was grateful for his guidance. Now she can get started with her new life and do her best to reunite her family.

credits

Lea

Character/Story by Glory

Background by Wallpaper Cave