I think this may be the last chapter I upload for a bit for Moons. Mostly because I wanna get these plot points I am writing right. Schedules in general may change, as I am potentially getting a new job.

As evening came, Deathbringer's boat finally came into view. He was never technically minded, at least not in that way, but the engineers clearly knew what they were doing. It stayed aloft, and looked like it could carry at least fifty dragons. Deathbringer didn't exactly say how many he was bringing, but if that was the case, food was going to be a lot more scarce.

Still, Deathbringer was smart. He likely thought of it. Starflight hoped.

Dragons flew from the ship as it gently hit shore. Supplies, such as food and other commodities, were in their claws. Deathbringer himself was one of the first to touch down, a wide smile on his face.

Deathbringer was a strange one. The first time Starflight met him, he tried to kill Princess Blaze. Yet he was enamored by Glory. As a former assassin turned bodyguard, Starflight never would've pegged him as a leader. Times change, he supposed.

And, despite his name, Starflight found him to be very pleasant to be around. Very chatty, with a snarky attitude with Glory, but a good heart deep down. Maybe one day he should change his name. Certainly Battlewinner wasn't born with her name.

The tradition of name changing was a strange one, but one that Starflight thought important. Their names changed with their duties most of the time, but they could be identified via birth name.

"Alright team, you know your tasks!" Deathbringer shouted to them. "Let's get what we can done, and then regroup! Remember, don't go anywhere without another, we have no idea what is left behind here!"

Starflight watched the units fly off, not seeing his father among them. Glancing back, he saw said father scrawling on a notepad, muttering calculations under his breath as he checked the boat for damage.

"Starflight!" Deathbringer greeted happily. "You made it! I wasn't sure if my letter reached you in time, but I'm happy it did!"

"Of course," Starflight nodded with a smile. "It gives me more material to potentially add to the library."

"Ah of course, how could I forget about such a sacred place!" Deathbringer winked, looking behind him. "I see you brought friends! I expected Fatespeaker, but the others? Well, the more the merrier."

"Yeah, it kind of… happened."

"As things tend to do," Deathbringer said understandingly. "But, I won't stand in the way of you and your dad. I will be needing him a lot, but with you two nerds working together, I'm sure we can speed things along, hm?"

Deathbringer patted Starflight on the shoulder, moving over to the others. As he did, Starflight made his way to Mastermind. Another name that there was no way he was born with. Starflight was cautious as to not startle him from his work, waiting patiently.

That, and Starflight needed a minute to collect his own thoughts. Mastermind was someone that he still had mixed feelings about. The horrible nature of his experimentations and so on still lingered in Starflight's mind as clear as day. Especially Orchid hanging on the wall. Who knew how many other RainWings went missing? Starflight remembered twelve, but who knew if there were more?

But… Mastermind was doing everything he could to make up for the experiments. There was nothing more Starflight could reasonably ask. He helped make the Rain kingdom safer for both NightWings and RainWings. He made no excuses. Some of the RainWings, apparently, enjoyed his company despite everything due to the efforts. Not all, but it was more than Starflight expected.

The NightWings in themselves had a lot to prove. Yet once free from a tyrannical queen and Morrowseer, things… changed. Not overnight, but gradual.

Honestly, now that Starflight thought about it, each tribe outside the RainWings did something horrible in the war. That wasn't even getting to some of the horrible war crimes. Poor Webs would have to teach that this year, as it was decided that there was no hiding from the war.

"Oh!" Mastermind noticed Starflight after a bit. He was the same as Starflight remembered, with glasses and a scarred snout. Still skinny, but a healthy skinny rather than starvation. His eyes were still alit with scientific curiosity and wonder, but it seemed… harmless in comparison. Lighter. Freer.

"I didn't want to interrupt you." Starflight smiled.

"Don't worry about that, I… I…" Mastermind adjusted his glasses, peering at Starflight through squinted eyes. "Wait… where is your blindfold?"

"Do you remember how I said that I was on the cusp of something?" Starlight tapped the scales next to his eyes. "This was it."

"You… you mean that your eyesight is…?" Mastermind approached, nearly dropping his notepad. "B-but how!?"

"Animus object restored the damage," Starflight answered. "I can see just as I did back then, if not a bit better. Truthfully, I'm unsure."

"This is…" Mastermind pulled Starflight into a hug, taking the latter by surprise. "Oh, I'm so gladl you found a way! Seeing you blinded by that volcano hurt me in ways you could never know. I wish I could have better expressed it, but seeing you healthy… that is every father's dream."

"I was in tears," Starflight admitted.

"As I would be in your situation." Mastermind sighed, pulling away from his son and holding Starflight's face proudly. "If only your mother were alive to see you as you are now. She would be very proud of you."

"I wish I knew more about her, truthfully," Starflight admitted. "But if she is anything like I know, I'm sure she would be."

"Your mother was so compassionate." Mastermind's eyes glazed over in reflection. "Brave. The pinnacle of what NightWings should have been instead of what we became. She doted all over your egg. I'm not sure if you are aware, but NightWings had breeding programs. It is why you and Fierceteeth are only half sisters. I was removed from the program due to my commitments in the science field. They did not, as they said, want me 'distracted'. I did not realize it was my egg she had until Morrowseer told me."

"Explains why you sounded so surprised. Either that or you were surprised I was alive."

"It was both, truth be told." Mastermind returned to the ship, inspecting for wear and tear. "It was why I was so happy to see you."

"I figured." Starflight inspected the ship as well. "I'm surprised how buoyant it is. You'd think with the wood, it would flood."

"So you would think! But there was a special glue that seals the cracks."

"Interesting. I assume there are many open spaces to allow for buoyancy?"

"Yes, yes." Mastermind nodded, nearly shaking off his glasses. "I helped more with the material than the building, so I cannot answer much about that. But I did oversee construction of the sails and rooms. Even my genius has limits, alas."

"What is your job here, then?" Starflight knocked on the wood, sure enough finding it quite hollow.

"Mine? To assess what can be constructed," Mastermind leaned in a bit closer. "But truthfully, I wish to study the local faun and fauna. Biology has always been my interest."

"We can do that later, if you want," Starflight said. "I'm sure Fatespeaker wouldn't mind joining."

"Of course! I would love the company."

Once the ship was inspected and deemed satisfactory, it was time to move on to the nearby structures. Fatespeaker had moved away from the campsite, helping organize rations with Gloomblade, Moon, and Peacekeeper. Starflight had spoken to the small hybrid during his stay at JMA, and was surprised at how well versed the dragonet was at agriculture. Deathbringer doubtlessly brought farmers here, but if what he said was true about growing a Strawberry about the size of his head… well, they had some competition!

"Starflight, be a dear and grab that container," Fatespeaker said without turning around. She must have 'sensed' him approach, as she tended to do. Either that or she was just being coy about exceptionally good hearing. Either way, Starflight couldn't sneak up on her that often.

Starflight obliged, picking up a container full of smoked meat. The smell was intoxicating. While he was never one to eat much meat, having it prepared like this was delightful. Another brought fruits, as there were strictly vegetarian NightWings aboard.

"Are you going to help them cook later?" Starflight asked.

"But of course!" Fatespeaker grinned widely. That grin was enough to make all his worries away, especially now that he could see it now. "They have not tried any of my stews, and I very well cannot have that!"

"Mmm, they'll probably love it."

"Flatterer." Fatespeaker shook her head. "It won't get you an extra serving."

"I wasn't trying to…" Starflight mumbled.

"I know, but I enjoy teasing you." Fatespeaker bumped her hips against his. "I'm guessing you and your dad have work to do?"

"Yeah, we're going to be investigating the buildings nearby," Starflight nodded. "See what can and can't be rebuilt. Wanted to see if you would be joining us, but if you're staying here, I'll catch up with you later."

"Yeah, I'll be helping here." Fatespeaker chuckled. "Can't exactly leave them to do all the work." She leaned in closer. "That, and I want to speak to Moon about our powers. Never had a chance to."

"We were at JMA…"

"I know, and I was so wrapped up with everything that I forgot!"

Beside them, he saw Moon giggle quietly. Doubtlessly, she either overheard their conversation or thoughts.

"Go spend time with your father, Bright Eyes." Fatespeaker waved him off with her wings.

With his smile still going strong, he approached his father, who had been waiting patiently while conversing with another NightWing. They were going over something that happened in the Rainforest. Starflight couldn't quite figure out what it was, but it was clearly an in-joke.

"I must say, the craft of some of these homes is exquisite," Mastermind ran his talons over some of the walls of a nearby home. "Two thousand years later and, with a bit of polish, this could fit a family. Walls would need to be patched in, same with some of the roof, but it feels… untouched by anything but time."

"Darkstalker did try and rebuild part of it, from what I understand," Starflight said. "Fierceteeth was his majordomo from what I understand. So I guess some of this ransacking could come from then…"

"From her?" Mastermind raised a brow.

"No, just the short-lived expedition." Starflight stifled a laugh.

"Starflight, look at this!" Mastermind said upon entering one of the estates. "I've seen it in pictures, but never in the volcano."

He indicated to a destroyed table of sorts. There were diagrams on it, as well as hanging drawers. Starflight looked to Mastermind for an explanation.

"This is a CalcuTable!" Mastermind exclaimed. "All those diagrams and symbols? That is what the NightWings of the past had for remembering mathematics and other equations. Built into it are different drawers and widgets that could change on a whim! I always wanted to build one, but never had the time!" Mastermind ran his talons over the etchings. "I could study this for hours! It's a perfect window into the past. I would very much love to keep this."

"I mean, if it fits on the boat, I think Deathbringer won't mind." Starflight examined it himself.

A good part of it was damaged, yes, but Starflight was able to see ancient calculations. He recognized them to be blueprints for potions, buildings, and so on. Nothing extravagant, but it was a good study guide. He and Mastermind pieced together parts of it, discovering a broken vial that held liquid. A snapped ruler. Sure enough, though, there were ways for this table to 'flip' if needed, so the NightWing in question could do science, then math, and then construction. It was a work of art.

"Queen Battlewinner didn't see why we couldn't just use different things, and we lacked the space for something like this," Mastermind babbled. He sounded like a dragonet showing off a science project. "Obsidian is a good material, yes, but marble is very smooth and allows for you to feel the slightest bit of error."

"I may have to take one for the Academy…" Starflight muttered. "I suppose I can try and teach some tribal history, too. But I'm not great at public speaking."

"You take after me in that regard." Mastermind laughed. "Always want to share knowledge, but when it comes to attention, you get nervous."

"It's a curse." Starflight shook his head. "I guess that's one thing about me that won't change despite my newfound optimism."

"Yes, I did notice you happier than you've ever been." Mastermind gave him a proud smile. "Compared to how we first met and subsequent visits, I daresay you've grown into a cheerful young dragon now. You get that from your mother, I think." He squinted. "Yes, I see it in your face. It's the same look she had when you were born. The same look she gave me."

"Fatespeaker says it's my true personality."

"I believe her." Mastermind finally pulled his attention away from the Calcutable. "You were, what, raised in a cave for six years and then blinded? I would be miserable, too. In fact, I was in the volcano."

"Given your starvation, that makes sense."

"Indeed, I - "

They got no further, as an ear-splitting shriek of absolute shock and terror came from nearby.

Moon suspected that Fatespeaker would want to talk to her about her powers at some point. Honestly, the fact that it didn't come sooner was surprising. Maybe Fatespeaker didn't want to intrude on what was a teacher – student relationship. Certainly would be Moon's mindset.

For now, they walked along the beach, watching the sun set in the distance. Its shades of orange and yellow were comforting, relaxing them as what was a nice day closed.

"Tell me, when you get visions, what are they like?" Moon asked.

"Truthfully? They show as flashes at most," Fatespeaker admitted. "I see myself in a location. Kind of like how you imagine yourself in, say, Jade Mountain. And then you end up there somehow anyway."

So, not as strong as mine, Moon thought to herself. She'd already suspected, but perhaps there was a chance to draw it out of her?

"And you can read other people's emotions?" Moon inquired.

"Somewhat." Fatespeaker nodded. "Whenever someone exhibits strong emotion, I can feel it as if it is my own."

"That is indeed indicative of an empath," Moon said. "What about mind reading?"

"No, I can't do that. Or, at least, not that I know of. But somehow, I seem to know what others are thinking." Fatespeaker tapped her chin in thought. "Like the one time Starflight was looking for something. He didn't tell me what it was, but I found it on my own as if I knew."

"Have you told prophecies?"

"Well of course!" Fatespeaker said with a 'duh'. "I am called Fatespeaker for a reason!"

"Can you tell me the last one you remember?" Moon chuckled a bit at her response.

"Err… well, I prophesied that…" Fatespeaker's brow furrowed. "No, maybe that was just some foresight. My memory isn't great."

"Well, it's good that you haven't. Trust me, you'd remember if you did," Moon shook her head, remembering the one about Jade Mountain. "But alright, that gives me an idea of where your powers are."

"And what's your assessment?"

"Truthfully… they're weak," Moon said with a wince. She saw Fatespeaker's face fall at her words. "But don't worry, I'm sure we can make them stronger! You just need guidance. I needed it to be where I am now. It's clear you were born under two moons, as you have both foresight and empath abilities. However, the volcanic clouds must have crippled your abilities."

"So, there's a chance I can be better?" Fatespeaker perked right back up.

"Yes," Moon said encouragingly. "Granted, I'm not entirely sure how. With me, it was more of how to channel mine. In this case, we need to strengthen yours. For example, I can telepathically communicate with those who open their mind to me. I could not do this a few years ago. I imagine it to be a muscle of sorts, one that you haven't been able to train properly."

"You can do that?" Fatespeaker said in awe. Moon nodded. "That would solve so many problems!"

"Do you want me to try with you?"

"Yes, sure." Fatespeaker nodded. "How do I open my mind?"

"You focus on me, and through that thought, I can use it as a connection," Moon instructed. "It only works in a short range, though. I can't talk to you across the city, for example. I'd have to be within a block or two."

Fatespeaker nodded, opening her mind to Moon. Moon felt the surface level thoughts and her excitement. Her mind was going a hundred leagues an hour, abuzz with shifting thoughts and emotions. Truthfully, it was a bit hard to make a connection with such an unfocused mind. But sure enough, it was made.

"Can you hear me?" Moon asked in thought. Fatespeaker let out a gasp. "I guess so."

"How do I respond?" Fatespeaker questioned.

"You simply think back and I can read the surface thoughts," Moon said.

"Like this?" Fatespeaker responded. Moon nodded, smiling. "Oh wow this is crazy! I never knew we could do such a thing! I wonder if Clearsight or even Darkstalker knew how to do this!"

"Darkstalker did. It's how we communicated."

"That makes sense," Fatespeaker looked like she was ready to slap herself. "But if this is what I can do later on, oooh I can't wait for it!"

"Keep in mind your progress may be slow due to your stunted abilities," Moon warned. "We need to build up your strength, and to do that, we need to take it one flap at a time. The easiest, I think, would be mind reading. I think Starflight, if he allowed it, would be the best place to start given your connection with him."

"Starflight would do anything to make me happy." Fatespeaker winked. "But yes, I'll ask him."

The conversation got no further, as a shriek of terror came from close by. Moon immediately felt said terror and shock like a blow to the head. Fatespeaker winced from it, too. Holding her head, Moon looked to the direction and was surprised by the source.

It was Hope. One of the most fearless, brave dragons Moon had known, shrieking in horror. Moon immediately took to the skies, following Hope's frantic thoughts. It was hard to read just one.

"Mom, are you okay?" Peacemaker landed just before Moon and Fatespeaker did. "What's wrong?"

Hope was huddled in the corner of what looked like a wealthy home. The archway was immaculate after all this time, the entrance a faded blue door. Inside was cozy, with an old fireplace in the living room.

"Hope, what happened?" Moon approached cautiously, noting that something was clutched in the large NightWing's claws.

"This is the cruelest, most vile joke I have ever seen," Hope spat. "Once I meet the one who dared play this prank, I will break their neck!"

"Hope, please, look at me." Moon bent down so their eyes met. "What prank?"

"Moon, I'm sure you can figure out what this place is," Hope hissed lowly. Moon narrowed her gaze before it hit her.

This was her home, all those years ago.

"I came here for closure. To see if there was anything left," Hope's voice trembled with rage. "And sure enough, I found something. An impossibility."

"What?" Peacemaker asked, standing next to Moon.

"Do not react," Hope said to Peacemaker, who's brow furrowed as if he recognized what she meant. Then, she opened her claw.

It was a beautiful black scale with hints of sapphire blue to them. Moon, at first, didn't see why it would elicit such a response from Hope before she noted that it sparkled. Only one type of scales did that; IceWing.

"Is that…?" Moon asked with dawning realization.

"Yes, I could never forget it. No other dragon had scales like hers." Hope shook her head. "This scale belonged to Whiteout."

Glory found herself back in the Rainforest, where a dream-like haze surrounded her private pavilion inside the Queen's hut. Where both she and Deathbringer would go to have privacy, unbothered by the rest of her tribe. With the Dreamvisitor, it was their place of meeting as well. Deathbringer had memorized her Suntimes, so it was no surprise to see him already there.

A NightWing as her mate… that was something Glory never would have expected. Sure, she had Starflight as a close friend and brother, but she never looked at him romantically. And when Morrowseer ordered her death, that was what sealed it for her. It only got worse as their 'adventures' did, with being abducted by that tribe and nearly experimented on.

This wasn't even getting to the first meeting with her now mate. He was quite literally sent there to kill her, and yet upon sight of her, did everything in his power to both save and infuriate her.

Now she couldn't imagine a life without him. His handsome face to greet her daily, the care in his dark blue eyes that only she could see. Their relationship was nothing but snark and sarcasm in public, but in private… she saw him for who he really was. It was only a matter of time before his fellow NightWings did, too, and then he'd… have to go and rebuild them.

Before those dark thoughts could come to the surface, she found herself smiling at his presence. Even if it was just a dream, his consciousness was here, pouring tea for her to drink. She could smell the sweet aroma it gave off even now. It was her favorite, green with a dash of lavender.

"I wondered if you'd have the time to show!" Deathbringer greeted warmly as she sat beside him, snuggling close. They felt as warm as it would in the flesh. It only made her long for him again.

"Queen Moorhen will be arriving shortly, so I wanted to sneak in a nap before she did," Glory answered. "Queen Ruby was delayed slightly, as she was giving orders for the clean up crew in Possibility. They need to fully account for the dead."

"That makes sense." Deathbringer nodded slowly. "Uh, actually… speaking of the dead…"

"Did you discover a bunch of skeletons there?" Glory asked wryly.

"No but… I got a series of questions for you." Deathbringer shifted somewhat uncomfortably. "Okay, so, we know that Hope is actually Foeslayer, and that Peacemaker is what remains of Darkstalker, right?"

Glory's mood almost immediately plummeted.

"What happened?" Glory immediately questioned.

"Well, both of them came to the kingdom. That's fine, it makes sense that Foeslayer would want to see what remained of her home. But uh… well, you know that Darkstalker had a sister, right?"

"Vaguely. I think her name was Whiteout?"

"Yeah." Deathbringer nodded once again. "Well, Foeslayer decided to check out her old home and found a scale of Whiteout. Now, I'm no nerd like half your friends, but even I know that scales rot and fade away. This scale is fresh, maybe a day or two old."

Glory pulled away, staring at Deathbringer incredulously. "What are you saying, Deathbringer? That the dead are walking?"

"I don't want to lead to any assumptions," Deathbringer's tail tapped on the wooden floor. It was the first time she saw him… anxious. "But a dragon who's been dead for two thousand years leaving behind an immaculate scale? That doesn't lend itself to a lot of possibilities."

"What do the others think?"

"They're as baffled as I am." Deathbringer chuckled. "I mean, really, what else can you do but be? Naturally, we're keeping this on the down low, but I wanted to tell you just in case Bigtail walks in the door."

"Animus can't do this, can it?" Glory bit at her nail in contemplation. She tended to do this when deep in thought. "I distinctly remember that the dead being resurrected is one rule that no one could break."

"Well, there's also a lot we really don't know about it," Deathbringer said. "It's possible. But if animus is dead…"

"Then who – or what – cast it?" Glory finished his thought. "Of course, this is all hypothetical. Unless, as you say, Bigtail walks right into me I'm not going to entertain it much."

"And how far does this go, if true?" Deathbringer slid his eye to her. "Because if Whiteout, a dragon who's been dead for centuries, is back… what's to stop someone like Morrowseer from following? Blister and Burn? Scarlet?"

"Again, I think you're jumping to conclusions." Glory flicked his forehead lightly. "The dead can't come back. Clearly, someone is messing with you all. Plus, animus is kinda sorta… gone? Unless that changed."

"Vulture apparently used animus magic in Possibility."

"Yes, but that must be an artifact. Do not jump to conclusions, alright?"

"Exactly." Deathbringer grimaced. "But… I don't know."

"What do you mean, you don't know?" Glory's eyes narrowed. "You aren't this gullible."

"If the dead are walking, it doesn't always mean a bad thing," Deathbringer's voice grew quieter with each word. "Whiteout isn't a villain. And if Bigtail and Carnelian come back, is that really cause for alarm? I mean, once we figure out if their return isn't heralding the end days."

"… No, not on principle, I suppose," Glory spoke slowly. There was something else he was getting at, though. His face was conflicted, with loss and pain written all over it. Yet, there was hope in his voice. She didn't know of anyone who…

It hit her like a sack of bricks. No wonder why he was entertaining this!

"Your mother," Glory murmured. "You're hoping she's back too, aren't you?"

"I told you the story, didn't I?" Deathbringer glanced at her.

"You made me think you were several years older because you screwed up the timeline to 'make it more interesting'." Glory answered blankly. Deathbringer barked out a laugh at that before growing serious.

"I didn't save her." Deathbringer's claws curled around the desk, creating splinters as they dug in. "I stuck to my mission, and I lost her. I had the chance to help, but I didn't."

"It's why you never changed your name, right?" Glory scooted closer, wrapping her wing around him. It was so rare that he had a trace of vulnerability. Getting him to talk about Quickstrike, his mother, was the one of the few ways to make it appear.

"I no longer bring death, but she gave me that name." Deathbringer sighed, eyes glistening slightly. "It's a reminder of that day. I will never forgive myself. As you likely surmised – heck, maybe I even told you – that's why I didn't want to kill any of you back then. I always wanted another way to get what I needed." He went quiet for a moment. "But maybe, if she is back… I can tell her I'm sorry."

"From what you told me of her, she strikes me as the proud sort of NightWing who would rather compliment you on your task rather than saving her," Glory attempted to reassure his worries, massaging his shoulders gently. She was terrible at this, maybe on Peril's level at times, but she had to try.

"Heh, strike…" Deathbringer chuckled. Glory rolled her eyes. "I know she was. But that doesn't mean that a dragonet should ever have to make that choice. And realistically, I know that I made the choice she would have approved of; stay hidden, don't alert the enemy. I left her to be found by Blister's soldiers for my own safety." His claws ripped off part of the table in anger from how tight he gripped it. "It was what she taught me, and I feel like a coward for obeying."

"And if you went out there, you would have died too." Glory reminded him softly. "I think she would've wanted you to live and be happy."

"It's what she wanted, I know." Deathbringer's tail slapped the ground in frustration. "I hope that you never have to make the same choice I did. It's why I never left your side, you know. I didn't know if one moment, you'd disappear too…"

Glory blinked. In all the time she'd known him, he'd never admitted that. Sure, she suspected, but she never pried. There were many things she'd tease him about, but when it came to the real reasoning for his fretting and overprotective nature, she wouldn't push. And yet, hearing his words…

… they broke something in her.

"You idiot," she found herself whispering. "You let me walk all over you for this."

"Please, I love the teasing." Deathbringer laughed hollowly. "Keeps us on our toes. And it allows me to pretend that it isn't the real reason."

A silence fell over them. Glory held her mate, this time being the comforter. He leaned into her, and she wished he was here in the flesh and not just a dream. She could feel the tears that welled in her eyes slide down her real face. They were both dragons who never opened up much, but when they did, it was significant. Like her not wanting him to leave. And now his mother.

"I can tell you're thinking about our separation," Deathbringer said. "And truthfully, I have been too. It's only been a few days, I know, but the Dreamvisitors really aren't enough."

"Yeah… but like we said, we'll figure out something," Glory said. "I just… don't know how to even start."

"Same. Admittedly, I've been looking at a few replacements in case it came down to it. I'd choose you any day, even if the tribe wants me." Deathbringer gave her the sweetest look that always bypassed any of her 'barriers'. It was all she could do not to hold him tighter. "But as you said, I have to hold to my dreams until the end."

"Who were you thinking of?" Glory asked.

"Honestly? Hope," Deathbringer answered. His answer was simultaneously surprising and unsurprising. "She has the look of a natural leader as well. Apparently, she was a commander back in the day, too. So it makes sense that she'd be a great choice. Maybe there won't be a king for a bit, but when it comes to the safety of my tribe, I will sacrifice that in a heartbeat."

Glory nuzzled him at his words, earning a low growl of approval. She'd heard comparisons of Deathbringer to Darkstalker, with charismatic leadership and a desire to be king. Not to mention certain aspects of his personality.

Glory hated them. Deathbringer was nothing like him, and his willingness to give up being king only affirmed it. Darkstalker would've driven his tribe to the grave to keep power.

She knew they meant it as a compliment. She knew that they resented what Darkstalker meant. Their comparison was only meant to make their previous actions look foolish or whatnot. But Deathbringer was not the anti-Darkstalker they were thinking. Not in her eyes.

He was the same old infuriating jokester with a heart that meant well. He didn't 'become' this figure they saw him overnight. He always was. And while she was happy her mate got the recognition he deserved… she wished she could put a stop to it. Yet what would that come across like? No, Glory would allow it, even if it hurt her.

"I think our time is at an end, sadly," Deathbringer broke the silence. "I can hear someone approaching, and I know you will likely need a bit to process all of this. I wouldn't tell the queens, but I'd tell Clay and Peril just in case. Moon, last I checked, was attempting to get in contact with Turtle after this and Starflight with Tsunami if that failed."

Glory chuckled. "Alright. Keep me posted. I'll let you know what the others think when I can."

They kissed passionately, and despite it being a dream, felt real as ever. The reality they wove together fell away, and Glory felt the sun hit her scales as she awoke.

It didn't take long to find Clay. He was talking to Flame, who looked like he had finally calmed down a bit. He still had that grumpy exterior, but Clay's 'bigwing' presence must've put him at ease. For their little winglet, as Sunny called it, Clay was definitely the heart of it. May not be smart in the traditional sense, but when it came to compassion and understanding, he was the best.

"…so my mother decided that if I wanted to really make a difference, I should join the guard," Flame said upon Glory's approach. "It proved to be the best decision. I had an outlet, and I did make a difference."

"We can always heal that scar, if you wanted," Clay offered. "We have a way to do it that has no hidden enchantment."

Flame contemplated this for a moment. Then, he shook his head. "No. It serves as a reminder of where I came from. What happened to me, and the other false dragonets of destiny, was an atrocity and I'll never allow myself to forget it."

Clay nodded understandingly. "If you ever change your mind, just need to ask."

"I hope you know, by the way, that my treatment of your siblings is not personal by any means," Flame admitted. "I understand the situation they were in, as I too would've tried to kill Morrowseer. I did not know any of the victims, but I know how Queen Ruby felt about Carnelian. In my youth, I was very angry, as you recall. But if I do not give this my full attention, that would be unfair to the other arrests I have done. I will punish according to the law, no more or less."

Glory regarded Flame with newfound interest. She had met the SkyWing a few times before, but never spoke a word. But, Glory did wonder about his unwavering conviction, and so couldn't fight the words that escaped her lips.

"What if there is a gray area?" Glory approached. Both dragons turned their attention to her, Clay with a degree of happiness. For example, you find a thief who has stolen something valuable. But it was not for personal gain; it was a family heirloom that was wrongfully taken and displayed publicly. The thief wanted it back, as it was the only reminder of their dead parent. Your laws state that the thief is in the wrong. Do you believe that?"

Clay's eyes widened at her words. Flame was completely taken aback by it.

"I would have no choice but to arrest the thief," Flame answered slowly. "I would have no way of knowing."

"That is true," Glory nodded. "Say that you do learn, would you still punish someone trying to steal back from the thief who stole their property?"

"I…" Flame looked conflicted.

"After all, the displayer stole and got away with it. It could have been bribes or sheer trickery," Glory shrugged her wings. "Does that not make him a thief? What would you do? Things are not so black and white. Laws in themselves are, but situations surroundings them are not always. I am not saying that this case is such, but if you hold to that conviction, there will be those who suffer on both ends. I don't expect an answer to that question, by the way; I want you to think about it."

Flame had the look of someone who had their food slapped from his claws. It was a look that she'd seen on some NightWings whenever they tried to act high and mighty before being reminded of the past. Flame, however, was not a bad dragon. In Glory's eye, he simply replaced his anger with a sense of justice that blinded him in a similar manner.

"Clay, I need to speak with you and Peril before the other queens arrive." Glory turned to the MudWing. "Meet me outside."

Clay made his way to where Peril was, seeing her talk to a pale dragon that looked almost exactly like her. Glory blinked. Did she have a sibling? No… that wasn't possible. She consumed him or something along those lines. Yet, that dragon had her face and eyes, however paled they were.

Was… was this a resurrected dragon!? Hiding her growing suspicion, Glory stepped into the forest, relaxing herself. Being around trees and nature always did. Inside the theater was too quiet for her tastes. Reminded her of growing up in that cave.

Clay and Peril arrived shortly after, both with looks of confusion that perfectly complemented each other. She almost laughed despite herself before telling them exactly what Deathbringer told her.

As predicted, none of them took it seriously.

"I hope this means Scarlet's back!" Peril shook her head, a manic grin on her face. "I get to rip her eyeballs out!"

"Peril," Clay said gently, placing a claw on her shoulder. "We don't know if she is."

"I know, I'm joking."

"I hate to ask this, but that dragon you were with… did he recently come around?" Glory asked Peril. She was not buying into this at all, but the anxiety part of her was flaring.

"Yes, but not that way," Peril said, much calmer than Glory expected. Glory anticipated her to flip out. "He's been around for years, and I only recently just knew of him. He's my twin, if you haven't guessed. So he's not part of this whole zombie invasion thing we're talking about."

"Zombie invasion…" Clay chuckled. "That is one way to put it, I guess. Kind of spooky, though."

"Well, again, I don't see this really going anywhere." Glory shrugged. "Granted, it'd be nice to speak to some again, but chances are that they're going to be agents of whatever brought them back."

"If Bigtail and Carnelian came back, though, then Sora maybe wouldn't be as guilty," Clay said with a bit of optimism.

"Even if Bigtail and Carnelian came back, the fact is Sora still killed them. They'd want an answer to that," Glory responded bluntly. There was no way around it. "It may not lead to prison, but that emotional trauma is not something gotten over if they remember how they died."

"Yes… yes, you're right," Clay admitted. "But that also means there's a chance to move on."

"Always the optimist, aren't you?" Glory raised a brow. Clay nodded vigorously. "I guess you wouldn't be the Clay I know if you weren't. Despite my attitude, I'm hoping you're right. If, of course, if we bother to entertain it past this conversation.".

"And besides, Darkstalker was an animus." Peril turned back to Glory, having been distracted by an annoying woodpecker. "He could've enchanted Whiteout's scales to never age."

"Exactly!" Glory grinned. "Time will tell, I suppose. We'll have to hear back from the others if something else is happening."

Without anything else to say, they headed back. Glory felt a state of apprehension unlike she did before, though. She was not convinced about this 'zombie invasion', but the winds were shifting. Something was coming. It was just a matter of what.

I think this rectifies the 'Assassin' story winglet a bit, huh? Also, if you want to keep up to date with my stuff, I have a discord server that I am shilling. Don't be afraid to ask ;D