In the Wings of Fire series, Fatespeaker stands out as a vibrant and optimistic NightWing dragonet. She’s known for her bubbly personality and her unwavering belief that she plays a crucial role in the prophecy that guides her friends. While she isn’t officially recognized as a prophet like one of her fellow NightWings, Moonwatcher, many fans believe that Fatespeaker has untapped or hidden prophetic powers waiting to be discovered.
In this blog, we’ll dive into key moments in the series that suggest Fatespeaker may have latent prophetic abilities. We’ll explore how these powers might manifest if they were ever fully developed, drawing on specific passages from the books to support these fan theories.
Fatespeaker’s Introduction and Role in the Prophecy
Fatespeaker makes her debut in The Dark Secret (Book 4), where she quickly becomes a fan favorite for her upbeat nature and her belief in the NightWing prophecy, despite lacking clear visions like traditional seers.
In one telling moment, Fatespeaker acknowledges her abilities—or lack thereof—by saying,
“I’m not exactly a prophet... But I see stuff sometimes, and I’m great at guessing things!”
(The Dark Secret, p. 123).
While this may seem like Fatespeaker is downplaying her powers, it also hints that there may be more to her “guesses” than meets the eye. Her self-awareness about not being a full-blown prophet could indicate that she simply hasn’t tapped into her true potential yet. This sets the stage for speculation about what she might be capable of under the right circumstances.
Instances of Fatespeaker’s Intuition
Though Fatespeaker never has the vivid, detailed visions that Moonwatcher experiences, her instincts often prove to be surprisingly accurate. Several key moments throughout the series suggest that her intuitive nature could be linked to a deeper, untrained prophetic ability.
In The Dark Secret, Fatespeaker senses that Starflight is in danger before anyone else realizes the threat is imminent. Even though there’s no concrete evidence to support her feelings, she insists that something is wrong, and her intuition is ultimately proven correct:
“I don’t know why, but I just have this feeling that Starflight is in trouble,” Fatespeaker says anxiously
(The Dark Secret, p. 159).
Later, in The Brightest Night (Book 5), Fatespeaker has a strong feeling that the battle involving Burn will be a pivotal moment in the war, even though she doesn’t have any specific visions about the outcome. This sense of foreboding foreshadows the climactic events of the book:
“I can’t explain it, but I just know something big is going to happen in this battle with Burn,” Fatespeaker tells the others
(The Brightest Night, p. 245).
These moments of intuition are too accurate to be dismissed as mere coincidence. While Fatespeaker doesn’t have the traditional prophetic powers seen in other NightWings, these “gut feelings” suggest that her instincts are guided by something more profound, perhaps a dormant or undeveloped form of prophecy.
Comparing Fatespeaker to Moonwatcher
To understand the full scope of Fatespeaker’s potential, it’s helpful to compare her to Moonwatcher, who is widely regarded as one of the most powerful seers in the Wings of Fire universe. Moonwatcher’s visions are vivid and immediate, often showing her detailed glimpses of the future, as seen when she first experiences a vision of the attack on the Jade Mountain Academy:
“The vision hit her like a tidal wave, a sudden flash of a future she couldn’t escape”
(Moon Rising, p. 89).
While Moonwatcher’s abilities are clear and powerful, both she and Fatespeaker share a certain sense of danger and pivotal moments before they happen. Moon’s powers are just more developed and easier to identify. This comparison raises the question: Could Fatespeaker possess similar abilities that remain dormant because she hasn’t received the training that Moonwatcher has?
Why Fatespeaker’s Powers May Be Untrained
The NightWings, at the time of Fatespeaker’s upbringing, were a tribe in decline. Living in a volcanic wasteland, the tribe’s magical abilities—like prophecy and mind-reading—had diminished over generations. This may have played a significant role in why Fatespeaker’s powers remain underdeveloped.
In The Dark Secret, it’s revealed that the NightWing tribe has been struggling for years, with many of their natural abilities fading:
“The NightWings have lost so much... Our powers, our island, our future.”
(The Dark Secret, p. 45).
It’s entirely possible that Fatespeaker’s prophetic powers have been stunted by the tribe’s lack of magic and the harsh environment. Given the right circumstances and training, she might be able to unlock the full potential of her abilities, much like Moonwatcher did when she received mentorship in the art of prophecy.
The Role of Fatespeaker’s Relationship with Starflight
One of the most compelling aspects of Fatespeaker’s character is her deep connection with Starflight. While Starflight lacks magical abilities, his intellectual gifts and strong moral compass make him an important figure in the story. Fatespeaker’s bond with him could also play a key role in activating her latent powers.
In The Dark Secret, Fatespeaker’s unwavering belief in Starflight hints that she sees more in him than just his brainpower:
“I think there’s more to you than you know, Starflight”
(The Dark Secret, p. 180).
This relationship, rooted in mutual respect and admiration, could help Fatespeaker unlock her powers. Emotional bonds often play a critical role in magical awakenings in the Wings of Fire series, and Fatespeaker’s connection to Starflight might serve as the catalyst for her prophetic abilities.
What If Fatespeaker Received Training?
If Fatespeaker were to receive proper training, perhaps from Moonwatcher or another ancient NightWing with deep knowledge of prophecy, she could become one of the most powerful seers in the tribe. We’ve already seen how mentorship can transform a dragon’s abilities in The Brightest Night, when Moonwatcher begins training with Darkstalker:
“He told her that her visions could become clearer, more frequent, if she learned how to focus her mind and embrace her power”
(The Brightest Night, p. 283).
Imagine if Fatespeaker had access to the same kind of training. Her instincts and intuition could blossom into fully realized prophetic abilities, potentially even surpassing those of Moonwatcher.
Fan Theories and Reactions
Many fans believe that Fatespeaker’s powers are stunted because of the lack of magic within the NightWing tribe during her upbringing. Others argue that her naturally sunny and optimistic personality might be preventing her from accessing darker, more vivid visions like those experienced by Moonwatcher.
Some fans speculate that Fatespeaker’s joyful nature might be a defense mechanism, shielding her from the more intense aspects of prophecy. If she were to face darker challenges, could her powers fully emerge?
What the Future Holds for Fatespeaker
If Fatespeaker’s powers were to awaken, it could have profound implications for the future of the NightWing tribe. In a post-Darkstalker world, where prophecy and magical abilities are scarce, Fatespeaker could play a pivotal role in rebuilding the tribe’s connection to its ancient powers.
In Darkness of Dragons, we see that the NightWings are left without a clear leader or powerful seer after Darkstalker’s downfall:
“The tribe was fractured, struggling to find a new path without the guidance of prophecy or ancient magic”
(Darkness of Dragons, p. 350).
Could Fatespeaker step into this role and become a central figure in the NightWing tribe’s future? Her untapped potential may hold the key to their survival and growth.
Conclusion
While Fatespeaker may not currently possess the level of power that Moonwatcher does, the evidence throughout the series suggests that she has hidden or dormant prophetic abilities that could emerge with the right training and circumstances. Her intuitive nature, coupled with her close relationships and unshakable optimism, makes her a unique character in the Wings of Fire universe.
What do you think? Could Fatespeaker become a powerful seer if her powers were fully realized? Share your thoughts and fan theories in the comments!
Citations
Sutherland, Tui T. Wings of Fire: The Dark Secret. Scholastic Press, 2013.
Sutherland, Tui T. Wings of Fire: The Brightest Night. Scholastic Press, 2014.
Sutherland, Tui T. Wings of Fire: Moon Rising. Scholastic Press, 2015.
Sutherland, Tui T. Wings of Fire: Darkness of Dragons. Scholastic Press, 2017.
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