Hello again, my friends! I hope everyone is being safe during these trying times.

Thankfully, I had a better grip over my schedule for this month, so I managed to write a proper chapter that advances the plot, rather than merely serving as exposition. Ultimately, this chapter is a blend of the second half of Chapter 15, which I had hoped to include in Chapter 15 itself, and the entirety of Chapter 16. So I am back on track in terms of the progression of the story.

As usual: Reviews are not necessary, but very much appreciated as I push forward.

Now, without further wait, let's take flight!

It was always interesting to Peacemaker how no matter how large a bad thing can be: it is the small moments of good that can brighten the day and give hope that things improve. For some dragons, it may be when a friend does something nice for you. For Peacemaker, even if it did not affect him, seeing something good that happened to those he cared about always brightened his day.

In this case, it was at lunch when he and most of the Quartz Winglet had convened in the Prey Center. Cliff, Jaguar, Ermine, and Tempest were all present, and he was speaking with them about the final touches of their project. Ermine estimated that it would take a month to finalize everything…just in time when some parents of the students would be coming to the Academy for check-in before the final weeks of the term.

The conversation had been great. Despite Jaguar and Cliff throwing a few jabs at one another, the conversation was productive. Everyone liked Peacemaker's suggestion on looking into King Adder's dragonethood, they still had many documents to go over so it was likely they could gather additional information.

Yet, when Hyena finally arrived at the Prey Center for lunch: Peacemaker and Cliff noticed that she held something in her talons. All the while she had the biggest grin over her face.

The closer she got, the better Peacemaker could see what she was holding. When he saw the object clearly, he struggled to hold back a grin. Everyone else saw what Hyena was doing, and kept quiet (Tempest seemed to struggle the most at remaining composed, thankfully a subtle jab of Ermine's tail kept her silent.)

When Hyena was close enough to the unsuspecting MudWing: she held out her talons…and slid a pair of glasses over Alligator's eyes.

At first, Alligator was startled, spinning around to look at Hyena with alarm…but when he saw her, his eyes blinked…his talons reaching for the glasses over his eyes. Taking them off, he looked at them carefully. Eyes widened, the biggest grin crossed his lips.

These were not just any glasses, Peacemaker knew, they were the same ones that he had always worn! They were fully repaired as if they hadn't been broken in the first place!

"Hyena…ho…how?!" Alligator said, blinking his eyes multiple times, Peacemaker could've sworn he saw his eyelids water. "They're just like before!"

Sitting beside him, Hyena placed her talons over his and smiled.

"Tsunami's friend? He repaired them." Hyena said, that grin not lowing an inch. "She wanted me to stop by this morning to get them."

Alligator blinked the tears away as he placed his glasses over his eyes.

For the first time in days, Alligator seemed whole.

"Can't believe I'm saying this, but you look better with the glasses on," Jaguar commented as he ate a blueberry.

"He is quite, gorgeous isn't he?" Hyena said, winking.

Despite blushing, Alligator's smile did not waver.

"I'll have to tell Tsunami to thank her friend," Alligator said, gently feeling the frame of his glasses. "I could never part with these. Not when my sister gave them to me."

"At least we don't have to worry about Gull," Cliff muttered, his talons clinching. "I feel sorry that he was caught in that blizzard, but he definitely deserves punishment for hurting you guys."

"What's done is done, Cliff." Tempest reminded the SkyWing. "Even when he recovers, it's safe to say he won't be coming back."

To be honest, Peacemaker did not mind that at all. Hating other dragons was something he never wanted to feel. But after Gull, he did not regret yelling at the SeaWing, nor did he feel bad that he was very close to hating him.

"May I join?" Came a familiar voice that Peacemaker knew perfectly well.

Spinning around, Peacemaker was greeted with the sight of the sudden arrival of Moon. She stood where she was, smiling down at the Winglet. The excitement within him grew almost uncontainable! He thought Moon wasn't coming back to the school until the Weekend!

At first, he wanted to say she could come to sit down with them. But he knew it would be rude not to consider the rest of his Winglet. Glancing back at the others, he saw each of them give a nod of approval. When everyone had agreed, Peacemaker sat to the side, giving Moon more room to join their area.

"You've already met Cliff, Tempest, and Alligator," Peacemaker said, gesturing to the three. "The others are Ermine, Jaguar, and Hyena."

"Ermine?" Moon asked as she looked over at the IceWing in question, who looked at the NightWing with curious blue eyes. Slowly, Moon smiled at the IceWing. "There was an IceWing named Ermine in my year."

"I've heard of her," Ermine said, though she shrugged soon after. "Never met her, though. It's just a common tradition my parents had for naming their dragonets after mustelids."

"I see," Moon responded, before looking back at the others. "It's nice to, officially, meet all of you. Peacemaker thinks a lot about all of you."

At this, Peacemaker blushed heavily as his friends all looked back at him, giving him varying degrees of amused expressions. Hyena's grin was the biggest, it almost looked like she wanted to turn her jokes to him. Meanwhile, Cliff nudged him in the shoulder.

"Mooooonnnn…" Peacemaker groaned. While he wished Moon would not share his thoughts like that, he couldn't stay angry with her. She did this sometimes, sharing his thoughts with others.

Yet, if there were certain thoughts he wanted to keep private, she would never say them out loud for the world to hear. Despite being one of the few, let alone skilled, mind readers and seers in the world: She never abused her powers. The privacy of others she considered unless it was something others needed to know.

"Well, I think it's nice," Jaguar said, pointing at Cliff. "I mean, it is surprising he thinks highly of this royal pain."

This made Cliff shoot the RainWing a glare, though he kept his mouth shut as it shifted to a smile at Peacemaker as if honored that the hybrid thought so much about his friends. They were his first friends outside of the Rainforest…they mattered too much to him not to think about.

"Well…why wouldn't I?" Peacemaker said, trying to keep his cheeks from blushing and the star-like membranes on his wings from turning pink. Seeing varying smiles on each of his friend's faces, Peacemaker tried to change the conversation. "So…Moon, who did you help with your visions during your trip?"

This managed to get everyone's attention to Moon. The NightWing seer smiled softly at Peacemaker's question.

"Well, it was quite the visit with Queen Ruby and Queen Moorhen," Moon explained. "I was able to tell them bits of info that could help them with their Outer Kingdom villages, maintaining the diversity in them while satisfying villages that have a large majority of dragons from a specific tribe."

"I thought you were just a diplomate? Not visiting kingdoms to deliver fortunes," Tempest replied, raising a brow.

"I am a diplomat, like Peacemaker's mother, Hope," Moon answered. "But my task as a diplomat for Gl…Queen Glory is to ensure stability for the continent, at large, rather than just the RainWing and NightWing tribes. So we can reach the best possible outcomes, for everyone."

As she said this, Peacemaker noticed how Moon's eyes brightened the more she spoke about her role. She always got like this when speaking to Peacemaker about her hopes for Phyrria and Pantala, wanting to make sure that the continents never erupted into wars or conflicts with one another. That's why she was a diplomat, so she could use her abilities to keep the peace.

While striving to make the best future for everyone.

Peacemaker, admittedly, wished he was a Seer, like Moon. That way he could help her. He thought he'd make a good diplomat. Then, Moon wouldn't need to be burdened all by herself.

Moon and I, keeping the peace, Peacemaker thought to himself. He'd be able to live up to his name.

From the corner of his eyes, he spotted Moon glance at him from the side. She heard his thoughts, no doubt. But as he turned to look at her: He could've sworn he saw a bit of unease in her eyes.

Eventually, lunch came to an end. The rest of the Winglets slowly began to leave the Prey Center and go about their day. As Peacemaker walked out with the Quartz Winglet, walking beside Tempest in hopes that they could discuss their next traversal into the Dream World, he felt one of Moon's wings draped over his shoulder, urging him to walk with her.

"Can we talk, in private?" Moon asked, politely.

Glancing at Tempest and Cliff, both who looked at Moon with curious eyes, he nodded at them.

"I'll catch up," Peacemaker said. Both nodded, before heading off to their classes. Turning to Moon, he saw her gesturing him to follow through the tunnels.

The two walked together in silence for a long moment. Peacemaker wondered if Moon was alright. The answer to this question came when they arrived at a study cave. A study cave occupied by the Copper Winglet.

He saw Moon looking in the direction of the NightWing of the Winglet, Shadehunter. She gestured at her, before walking down the tunnel a ways.

Peacemaker rose a brow as he quickly followed after Moon. So she wanted to talk…about Shadehunter?

"She likes you, you know," Moon commented.

Well, it was clear to Peacemaker she liked him. He liked her, to be honest. She was always nice to him. He didn't know her very well, but he counted her among his friends.

"I mean…she likes you," Moon repeated.

Peacemaker paused, gazing at Moon with a confused expression as she had read his thoughts. Well…of course he knew she liked him. What other like could there be…

…

…

Oh…

"Like, you and Qibli?" Peacemaker asked. Moon almost flinched as he said that, causing him to sink his head to the ground. "Oh…sorry, Moon…"

He still didn't know what was going on between the two of them, but how she suddenly reacted, how she didn't nod back at him when he said how close Qibli and Moon were, caused him to realize something was going on between the two. Whatever it was, he knew they were not angry at each other…but it did not seem like Moon wanted to touch on that topic, yet.

Moon placed a wing over his shoulder, giving him a warm smile as she gazed down at him. It was one of those smiles that always let him know it's alright.

"Maybe not like Qibli and I," Moon answered, closing her eyes when she said the name of the SandWing that Peacemaker had come to see as an older brother. When she opened her eyes, she seemed more composed. "But…who knows? Maybe if you spent more time with you, you two…maybe…?"

Peacemaker's eyes blinked in surprise at Moon as she implied...this.

Glancing back in the direction of the cave. He thought of Shadehunter, how kind she was. Always patient and hard working. Whenever she had the chance, she'd worked with metal and making fantastic art with them.

He enjoyed hanging out with Shadehunter when he wasn't with his Winglet…Three Moons: He even looked forward to speaking with her when their paths crossed!

Yet…did he like her? As in…like her the way Qibli and Moon liked each other? The same way Turtle and Kinkajou looked at one another? Like Hyena and Alligator (despite how strange their relationship was)?

He thought for a moment, trying to think about Shadehunter in a romantic way.

However, he didn't…not right now, anyways.

While he enjoyed her company, he would much rather be among his Winglet. He'd rather go flying with Cliff in the morning, treeglide practice with Jaguar in the woods, study with Alligator and Hyena, even work with Ermine (even if she didn't talk much) and spend time with Tempest in the underground lake in the evening.

"If you spend more time with her, things could change, you know?" Moon mentioned, causing Peacemaker to look up at her. "It is good that you are getting along with your Winglet…but don't you think you should get out of your shell sometimes? By getting to know Shadehunter, you would also know her Winglet better."

She had a good point when Peacemaker had a group of friends, he wouldn't leave them. He always preferred being with dragons he knew.

But this time, it was different. Sure he didn't interact with many of the other dragons in the other Winglets much, but they still knew him, as he knew them. Now, he was more confident in spending time with other dragons outside of his immediate group.

He could still get to know Shadehunter, during their conversations. Maybe they would develop feelings for each other.

But right now? He wasn't going that far.

As he looked up at Moon, going to give him her answer: He noticed that she was giving him…a shocked look. At if his thoughts, themselves, were lightning bolts and she had touched a stray bolt.

"Moon?" Peacemaker asked, concerned. Eventually, Moon blinked, regaining her composure. He continued. "I will hang out with Shadehunter, but I need to do it when I want to…I appreciate you telling me all this, but right now I would rather be with my Winglet."

His answer made Moon frown. The look in her green eyes further showed that she was disappointed. Part of him felt sorry for disappointing his oldest friend, but he wanted to be with the group who had helped him grow during his time.

Not waiting for Moon to answer, Peacemaker turned back to the direction his Winglet had been heading, intent on going to class.

"I'll see you later?" Peacemaker asked, probing Moon's mood in an attempt to see if she was angry with him.

"Sure," Moon said immediately, giving him one of her sincere smiles. This confirmed to him that they were still okay, despite the disappointment Moon was feeling. "Do well in class, Peacemaker."

With her approval, Peacemaker bounded towards his class, hoping to arrive before the first gong rang.

"I don't think it would have been a bad idea to hang out with Shadehunter," Tempest said to Peacemaker as the Quartz Winglet arrived back to their Common Cave. "She is a nice dragon."

After class, Peacemaker had told the rest of the Winglet about Moon's insistence on him spending more time with Shadehunter. To keep things from getting awkward, he kept silent about Shadehunter having feelings for him.

While most of the Winglet had not said much, Tempest was the one who seemed to agree with Moon the most.

"I know she is," Peacemaker replied, placing his bag on the ground as he walked to one of the cave's walls while going to pick up a cup and pitcher so he could pour some apple juice. "But…Moon was just very…insistent."

"Well, if even Peril forced me to hang out with someone, I think I'd be reluctant as well," Cliff commented as he walked out of his, Jaguar and Peacemaker's sleeping cave, having tossed his bad inside. "You should befriend someone you want to, not be pressured into a friendship."

"Yet, I can see Moon's point," Tempest said, ignoring Cliff as he rolled his eyes at her. "Sometimes, it's best to know people outside of an immediate group."

"But to be pressured?" Peacemaker asked.

"Is not good," Tempest clarified. "I'm just saying I can see some of what she said."

At this, Peacemaker frowned. Yet he couldn't say Tempest was wrong.

"Can we just enjoy the evening?" Jaguar commented, causing the three to look at the rest of the Winglet, who were all staring at Peacemaker, Cliff and Tempest, interrupted from their evening routines as the three conversed. "We can worry about Peacemaker's problems later, it's been a long day so can we all seven of us have some enjoyment?"

"Right, sorry about that you guys," Peacemaker muttered as he finished the rest of his drink.

"You don't need to apologize," Ermine added while opening her book. "I don't agree with Jaguar a lot." (At this, Jaguar scoffed.) "But he is right that we should have some time to relax…for some students, we're nearing meetings between teachers and parents."

Hearing this, Peacemaker realized what that possibly meant: His mother would be coming to the school, soon.

But as he thought this, Peacemaker realized he should have been excited, overjoyed! Yet, the thought of his mother made him think back to his dragonethood.

However, the thoughts of his mother would inevitably lead to thoughts of the Dream World…and the blank memories in his mind. Memories he did not even know when or where they took place. It made him wonder how much of his life was blank, how many memories of his mother and friends were vanished. Tempest encouraged him to constantly look back into his memories, in order to see if there was anything out of place.

But he couldn't think of anything…

He remembered his hatching days, his old friends, each of the days Moon visited him, Kinkajou taking care of him and made him laugh and his multiple (failed) attempts to outdo Qibli. But nothing seemed out of place.

As he was drowned into his thoughts, he felt one of Cliff's giant wings brush against his. Snapping back to reality, Peacemaker saw the SkyWing prince gesturing him to follow him to the sleeping cave. Glancing back at Tempest, he saw her speaking to Ermine, casually discussing the IceWing's current read.

Following his best friend, Peacemaker stepped into the sleeping cave as Cliff turned to him.

"Tempest said she wants to go back to the sleeping world," Cliff announced, causing Peacemaker's head to perk up.

"You mean the Dream World?"

"Whatever it's called," Cliff muttered, glancing out the sleeping cave entrance. "She told me about it when you were with Moonwatcher."

Peacemaker was not ready to return to the Dream World. After the first visit, seeing the IceWing from his nightmares literally materialize before his eyes…seeing the fatal wound and the dark blue blood pouring from his mouth: it made him feel a collection of emotions…mainly fear and regret.

But he needed to see this through, to get answers.

"I don't want to go back," Peacemaker admitted, walking up to his sleeping area and sitting down. "But…I can't live my life like this, always dreading sleep and being a possibility . I want to continue my life. Even if I don't know what is going to happen next…"

Cliff sat beside Peacemaker, both looking at the other side of the sleeping cave. The only form of noise came from outside of their sleeping cave as the Winglet discussed the day.

It was Cliff who broke the silence.

"Well, let me make one thing certain:" Cliff said, slowly looking at Peacemaker, giving his contagious grin that always managed to brighten the day. That grin, alongside Tempest's own smile, always managed to calm Peacemaker. "You are coming to The Sky Kingdom Palace when the term ends."

Peacemaker blinked his eyes for several moments, looking confused at the SkyWing prince. Not sure if he was hearing that right.

"I…I'm sorry?"

"You'll be visiting my home," Cliff said, nudging him in the shoulder with his own. "When this term is up, I'll give you a formal invitation to the palace, make you a guest of honor, and we'll have loads of fun as my tribe gets ready for the annual Winter Solstice festival." Cliff raised his head, proudly. "And you'll get to hear me sing."

This made Peacemaker laugh, nudging Cliff back. The thought of Cliff sending a "Formal" invitation to Peacemaker's home in the Rainforest was funny. Yet, despite how funny the thought it was: He felt honored. That Cliff would invite him to the palace…even make him a "Guest of Honor."

While it did not take his mind entirely off of what they had to do to restore the missing memories in Peacemaker's mind, it did help him: That there would be something beyond this uncertainty. Something to look forward.

In the end, Peacemaker only had one answer for Cliff:

"I'd like that," Peacemaker answered. "Umm…will I need to dress up in gold necklaces and jewelry…like in the novels?"

Now it was Cliff's turn to laugh.

"Nah, you won't have to," He said while standing up, gesturing to Peacemaker to follow him, which he did. "But: I think you'd look awesome in them."

Night finally came.

As the sun set, the moon began its ascent into the dark sky with the stars glittering the sky not long after.

While the rest of the Winglet had turned in, Peacemaker was the last one awake. Cliff and Tempest were the last ones to turn in, respectively. When Tempest went to her and Ermine's sleeping cave, she had spoken to Peacemaker before doing so.

"I'll know when you are ready," She had said, giving him one of her smiles.

Peacemaker had nodded and watched her walk into her sleeping cave. For the next half hour, he sat alone in the middle of the Common Cave, gazing towards the embers in the fire pit that slowly died. He was alone to his thoughts, thinking about the day…and what would come next.

At one point, he closed his eyes, thinking of the first visit to the Dream World and what would wait for him and the others when they crossed over. Would he encounter the IceWing-like dragon? Or would the venture be more fruitful than the previous?

He didn't know.

But what he did know: Was that he wanted…no…needed answers.

Slowly, Peacemaker lowered his onto the cushion below him and closed his eyes.

A familiar warmth entered his mind, a sensation that was akin to a comfortable summer day. Peacemaker recognized the feeling of Tempest's mind touching his, asking permission to enter his dreams. Letting his mind clear of any thoughts, letting the fatigue engulf his body and mind: he felt the familiar sensation of being submerged below water.

Like before, Tempest and Cliff had met Peacemaker in his dreams. The Somnus apprentice then guided Peacemaker and Cliff into the Dream World.

Unlike before, Peacemaker did not hear Cliff struggle to breathe or groan about being dizzy. Despite not being able to see Tempest or Cliff through the light, only being able to feel Tempest's talons holding onto his own, Peacemaker to feel for Cliff's wings with his own. When he felt the familiar touch of the SkyWing's great wings, he brushed them once, a silent gesture to ask his friend if he was well.

In response, Peacemaker felt Cliff's wings brush against his own, silently replying to Peacemaker as if to say 'I'm okay.'

After what felt like an eternity, the light around the three gave way with the familiar "night sky line" of the Dream World, the three moons hanging over the world as silver orbs that were shimmering in the sky as if submerged under water.

When the three began to drift down to the dream version of the Phyrrian continent, Peacemaker felt Tempest guide their fall towards a place of the continent that Peacemaker knew all too well: The Rainforest.

Once they finally touched the ground, Peacemaker looked in awe at the dream world version of his homeland…

It looked just like the Rainforest as if it were night time. Yet, the key difference, was that the leaves of the tree glowed, literally glowed, a spectrum of colors. Almost like a rainbow. The same could be said to a lesser extent about the various flowers.

Unlike the dream version of Jade Mountain, which gave an eerie aura, the Rainforest was beautiful.

Walking up to a tree, Peacemaker looked up at the glowing leaves…seeing the shimmering moon light in the skyline shines down through the leaves.

"It's amazing," Peacemaker muttered.

"Because there is more life here," Tempest responded, walking up beside him. "The closer we are to areas where nature is left untouched in the Waking World, we see more light."

"How is that?" Peacemaker wondered, turning back to the SeaWing.

Tempest shrugged her wings.

"I don't know…my dad has some theories, but he says I'm to 'young' to hear them," This made Tempest roll her eyes as she walked towards a stream of water, which glowed a spectrum of blue shades.

Peacemaker frowned at Tempest's answer but nodded to himself. Glancing at Cliff, he saw the SkyWing staring at a glowing flower, cautiously touching it.

"So…do we need to worry about flowers eating us?" Cliff asked.

"I don't think so," Tempest answered, turning her attention back to him. "All of this is a reflection of the Waking World…I don't think we should be in danger, unless we encounter a Land Shift."

Peacemaker and Cliff all looked at Tempest…

"A Land…what?" Peacemaker repeated, nervously.

"When the ground, and the environment, move," Tempest explained. "I've never seen one, but my father says the Dream World doesn't have the same physics like our world…he says the land can move when it feels like it."

"Like an earthquake?" Cliff said, slowly.

Tempest shook her head.

"No, more like: The ground becomes the sky…or the walls…" Tempest replied.

"That doesn't make any sense," Peacemaker muttered. As Tempest began to respond to his statement, he thought he spotted movement in the forest in front of him.

Looking closely, Peacemaker squinted his eyes to see a dragon-like figure…closer inspection: He realized it was a dragon.

A NightWing, with white markings…

Widening his eyes, Peacemaker blinked once to make sure he wasn't seeing things. The second time he looked, he realized his eyes were not playing tricks.

It was the same NightWing from his dreams!

She stood near the trees, staring back at him with a smile and kind blue eyes that seemed so familiar to him that it made him feel guilty about why he couldn't remember her.

Before he could open his mouth to call out to her and get Tempest and Cliff's attention on her, the NightWing walked deeper into the forest.

"Wait!" Peacemaker shouted, interrupting a conversation between Tempest and Cliff (shocking both with his sudden outburst.) "Don't leave!"

When the NightWing didn't stop, Peacemaker rushed forward, headlong deep into the forest. As he ran, jumping over roots in his path, he could faintly hear Cliff and Tempest yelling his name.

But the excitement had overwhelmed him, he wanted to finally speak to this dragon!

"Please, stay!" Peacemaker called out, almost out of instinct.

After running for some time, Peacemaker paused for a moment to catch his breath. Doing so, he heard movement to his left. Raising his head, he could see the NightWing walking away yet again.

"Wait up! Please!" Peacemaker pleaded, his eyes slowly stinging with tears from the corner of his eyelids. "Who are you!?"

The answer never came…as Peacemaker felt the ground under his feet disappear, only coming into contact with air. Eyes widening, he looked at his feet…only to see that there was nothing but empty sky beneath him! Attempting to flap his wings to get into a hover, he felt no air beneath his wings as he fell into the abyss beneath him…

…

…

"I gotcha!"

Someone's talons grabbed hold of Peacemaker's forearm. Looking up, he was greeted with the sight of a gray dragon hovering in midair...with the trees of the Rainforest and the ground above them…

Blinking in confusion, Peacemaker looked carefully at his savior…and recognized the pair of butterfly-like wings on her back.

"It's you!" Peacemaker said to the SilkWing.

"Pleasure to meet you again, young one," The SilkWing replied, a smile appearing on her lips. "This hardly seems like the place to hang around, does it?"