The Obelisk

-Chapter 95-

“Moonbeam?”

“Moonbeam, where are you?”

“Hey, I found her!”

Forest scrabbled down the last few chunks of stone. His grey-blue eyes were wide as he hurried after Rust, who had gone down shortly before him.

“She’s over here!” Rust yelled from close by. Forest climbed over a long, flat rock and stopped as Rust froze in front of him.

“Oh no,” the Deinonychus whispered.

Forest spotted Moonbeam lying on her side in a dark pool of blood. Forest stared in horror as the others ran passed him.

“Moonbeam!” Orbit roared, rushing over to her and skidding to a stop.

“No, no, no no no,” Nyx cried.

Moonbeam rolled her eyes over to look up at them. “This is an interesting way to die,” she said in a weak voice.

Orbit’s blue eyes were flaming. “You’re not dying,” he said firmly. “You can’t die.”

“Pretty sure I can, actually,” Moonbeam said. “Just like anyone else, I’m afraid. It’s OK, though. You’ll do fine without me.”

Nyx was crying, tears falling down the sides of her face and muzzle. Crimson and Spark both gazed from behind Rust, unspeaking.

Blood was spreading around Orbits talons, but he didn’t seem to care. “No!” he yelled. “I can’t let you. We can fix this. We can save you! I can’t let you die. I—” he stopped himself, making an expression Forest didn’t recognize. “I…”

“I’m listening,” Moonbeam said.

“I love you,” Orbit whispered.

Moonbeam met his eyes without moving her head. “Oh, Orbit,” she sighed, closing her eyes.

“Its true,” he insisted. “I really do. I’ve loved you since the day we met when you walked into our camp. I never had the guts to tell you, but I do. You’re amazing and beautiful and fearless. I can’t let you die. I love you, Moonbeam.”

Moonbeam smiled dimly. “You shouldn’t,” she murmured. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”

“I don’t care,” Orbit growled. “I love you.” He thrust his head forward and nuzzled it into her neck. “I love you, Moonbeam… I love you…” He blinked and lifted his head. “Moonbeam?”

Forest stared down as Moonbeams body went still, as Orbit cried her name desperately. He wanted to say or do something, but he couldn’t, he couldn’t do anything. All he could do was watch; watch as Moonbeams eyes stared sightlessly into nothing, as Nyx let out a shaking sob. As Rust stepped back and covered his snout with his talons.

No one could do anything. Moonbeam was dead.