Welcome back to another round of Broken Jade. Also known as BJ. Wait no, don't say that-

"She's an idiot."

Out of all the things to escape from Queen Thorn's mouth, Sandrunner did not expect it to be that. In fact, he blinked blankly, a dumb look on his face. Sometimes, he forgot just how blunt his 'grandmother' – she pretty much was, as Cobra wasn't in the picture – was at times.

"She seems confident." Sandrunner continued his report as Queen Thorn placed down the letter. "Plus, father and Sunny are there."

"And that is why she is an idiot." Queen Thorn let out an exasperated sigh, holding her head. "Don't help! But actually help. We're at peace, we have alliances. If there is a threat of insurrection, that threatens all of us. Imagine if Fierceteeth actually got the jump on her!"

"I suppose she feels that if she cannot handle it alone, she is not fit for being a queen." Stonemover rumbled, having been laying beside her. "I know someone just like that."

Thorn shot him a scathing glare, whereas Stonemover replied with a gentle smile. She let out a small huff.

"Fine." Thorn grumbled under her breath. "But, if anything happens to my daughter and Qibli because she didn't accept my help…"

"With all due respect, I think they will be fine." Sandrunner attempted to cheer up what may be his future grandmother in law. That was an… interesting thought.

Thorn eyed him critically before letting out another sigh. "I know. She's a Dragon of Destiny, and he's an honor guard. But, if you ever become a father, you'll know what I mean."

"My mother fretted over me all the time. I understand." Sandrunner chuckled.

"Yeah she did," Thorn answered slyly. "Tell me, though… did Sunny finally make her move?" Sandrunner stared. "Oh, don't give me that look. I already know you know."

"Um… yes?" Sandrunner didn't know if he were honest. But, reading the body language of the two dragons pretty much confirmed it for him. His father was very critical on that growing up.

"And you are okay with that?"

That was a loaded question that Sandrunner wasn't expecting to be asked. He could only stare for a moment as his brain tried to dislodge the wrench that was thrown into the gears.

"Erm… no," Sandrunner answered truthfully. It didn't feel right to lie to the queen. "Nothing against Sunny at all! I just… well…"

"I understand." Thorn nodded sympathetically. "I ask because you are clearly conflicted in the same way I saw in Sunny a long time ago."

"What do you mean?"

"She means that you are being torn in half by both sides of your heritage." Stonemover lowered his head to look at Sandrunner more closely. "Sunny went through the same thing. She did not fit in with the SandWings, nor the NightWings. It took her a long time to come to terms with who she is. I see that journey is now upon you, as it is with most hybrids."

Sandrunner glanced between the two dragons. He knew they were right, thinking back to that conversation he had with Duskweaver. Yet, in a way, it wasn't entirely it. No, as he looked between Stonemover and Thorn, another feeling hit, and he knew what it was.

If he swapped the genders, it was his parents. Thorn and Stonemover had many ups and downs, and yet in the end, it worked. Stonemover was able to move here. Thorn accepted him back, and before all that, they had a hybrid just like him. If they could make it work, why couldn't his parents? It was foolish to compare. Yet, his dragonet side couldn't help but do so.

"Yeah, you're right," Sandrunner spoke quietly. "Queen Thorn, may I request a leave of absence to uh… embark on that journey?"

"Granted," Thorn answered immediately. "I have been meaning to give you a break for a while now. From what I've heard over the past week, it only solidified the need."

"Erm… what exactly have you heard?" Sandrunner briefly panicked.

"That you enjoy older ladies." Thorn gave him a knowing look. Sandrunner paled. "Yes, Blaze and I talk. She's remarkably perceptive when it comes to reading dragons. Sunny later confirmed it." Thorn's face relaxed slightly. "That, and it's clear to me that you did not truly fit in with the Sand Kingdom."

"But this is my home." Sandrunner couldn't stop himself from protesting a bit.

"It is, and it always will be," Thorn said. "However, you are half NightWing. Qibli has mentioned in the past that you never got a chance to explore that. And, I see how different you are from returning there. I see you wanting to go back, and not just to spend time with your father."

"I… do want to get to know my mother's side a bit more. She never had the chance, either." Sandrunner averted his gaze. "I wish she could join me. But… maybe I can teach her after I learn. I don't know."

"To be fair, my son didn't exactly fit in with the normal SandWings, either."

Sandrunner felt a hint of fear run down his spine as a SandWing silently approached the throne. She was beautiful and deadly, with snake-like markings running down her spine. The same type Sandrunner had. There was a resemblance to Qibli, namely in body type, although she was much larger. That, and she lacked the warmth in her eyes that Qibli did. No, the black eyes she held were all but soulless from years as an assassin.

"Cobra." Thorn eyed her critically.

"My queen." Cobra bowed slightly. "Six-Claws and I did as you asked." She added, giving a report to Thorn.

"They're like rats." Thorn hissed. "Each time we snap them up, three more show themselves." She shook her head. "At least this was one of the bigger cartels."

"Indeed," Cobra answered boredly. "They have scattered, and it will be a while before we can track them properly."

"Very well." Thorn nodded curtly. "Keep me informed."

"But of course." Cobra turned to leave, and Sandrunner finally found his will to move. What Cobra said about his father, though, did stick out in his mind. Maybe it was because of his own fragile state right now, but he had to ask his grandmother a question.

He chased after him after bowing respectfully to Thorn, seeing Cobra slither away down the hall. He caught up to her easily, and she shot him a 'what do you want' look.

"What did you mean about him not fitting in?" Sandrunner questioned.

"Have you met him?" Cobra responded dryly. "He's too goodie for his own good. To be a real SandWing, one must have guile and tact. He had neither, replaced with a bleeding heart." Cobra shook her head. "I am amazed he survived as long as he did."

"Maybe he has more than you give him credit for." Sandrunner tried to keep his voice neutral.

"He's smart, I'll give him that." Cobra shrugged. "But, as I said, his bleeding heart got him more into trouble than not."

"You must have seen something, because you switched sides."

"Ha!" Cobra barked out an echoing laugh. "Oh dear, how naïve are you? I switched sides because it was more profitable. Sure, the pay is less, but I have more work and I'm not hunted down like a criminal." She looked wistfully at the palace walls. "This is a much nicer place than the Scorpion Den, anyway."

"And that's really it?" Sandrunner scowled. "Nothing else?"

"I don't know what your father told you, but I am not one for affection." Cobra eyed him with a hint of disappointment. "It was pragmatic that I did what I did. I killed Sirocco, do you think I wouldn't do the same to Qibli if it was more beneficial?"

"I think you're a liar," Sandrunner responded bluntly, surprising himself and Cobra. "Dad told me what happened that day. Sirocco was attacking you and dad. You stabbed him when you could have simply fled and gone after Vulture."

"Yes, and had to deal with Vulture alone. Despite his age, he was still a formidable foe, and it was foolish to take him on by myself." Cobra rolled her eyes. "You're seeing fool's gold, grandson. I'm not as deep as you think I am. I want gold, and I want thrills. Anything else is replaceable."

"If you say so." Sandrunner didn't know why he was bothering talking to his biological grandmother. She'd made it perfectly clear that the only thing stopping her from stabbing him in the back was the weight of the Sand Kingdom.

"If you are so certain of me, then tell me what you think you see." Cobra stepped before him, spreading her wings. "Go on."

Sandrunner eyed her up and down for a moment. "I see someone who doesn't know how to love."

"Pardon?" Cobra raised a brow.

"You were born into a criminal life. Affection was never there. Vulture raised you to be an assassin, but you didn't do that for your own dragonets. Yeah, sure, you let them do what they want, but you didn't force them."

"I also gave Qibli his scar." Cobra pointed out.

"Yeah, you did. You did a lot of horrible things. But I dunno… you aren't a black and white as you position yourself to be." Sandrunner frowned contemplatively. "Either way, your definition of a SandWing is quickly becoming outdated."

"And you would know?"

"It's been twenty years since the war. Outside of cartels and traffickers, there's nothing left." Sandrunner turned to leave. "I know you don't believe everything you say because if you were as heartless as you say you are, you wouldn't bother giving me the time of day. You didn't for your actual dragonets."

"You would be surprised what boredom makes you do."

Sandrunner didn't say anything more. Before all of this, he would've. He felt confident in his words, even if he may be off the mark in a few areas. He didn't expect – or really want – Cobra to start hanging around them more, but it bothered him to see a member of his family like that.

Truthfully, he didn't know why. Cobra was barely there. He'd seen her hovering ever so often, but there was no bond. She wasn't there at his hatching, she wasn't there when he was growing up outside the aforementioned random hovering. Whenever he needed to be watched, either Sunny or Thorn or Secretkeeper did.

Maybe he was just being an idiot. But after his confrontation with Winter, it was possible he started to read a lot of dragons wrong.

Moon was motivated for the first time in a long, long time.

Turtle and Peril approaching her lifted such a weight from her shoulders. She didn't ask them to stay or anything, but just knowing that they were around made a world of difference. And now, she could plan her lessons with a freer mind. Was better able to see where her students were at. Some were lacking, but that wasn't a big deal. They had plenty of time.

This semester, it was reading scrolls about the SandWing Succession War. Ever since the war ended, many soldiers and higher ups had elected to tell their accounts of battles. It was critical, in Moon's eye, that her students learn how to pick up points of view and discrepancies. Writing about the differences taught them critical thinking.

The IceWing students were by far the most astute in their work. She rarely needed to check on them. RainWings, however… oh, they were trying. They were really, really trying. But, despite Glory's efforts to whip them into shape, some habits were generational. Most of them were brilliant, but lazy. The correct motivator had to be found, and most of them had different motivations.

Nightmare scenario. But, that was where Moon's mind reading came in if she really needed it. Only surface level thoughts, of course. Nothing personal. Just trying to understand them. For the most part, she spoke to Fatespeaker about students, as she was the academy's psychologist. Fatespeaker, like Moon, had powers, although much weaker. Yet, she was much better at detecting emotion than Moon.

"Did you speak to Winter?" Moon suddenly asked the air. Seconds later, Kinkajou shimmered into view, a scowl on her face. "Did you forget I trained myself to hear the smallest of movements?"

"No, I just hoped that I could get one over on you one day." Kinkajou's scowl intensified. "It's no fun."

"Maybe if you catch me reading a very, very enthralling book or scroll." Moon giggled, facing Kinkajou fully.

"To answer your question, yes I did." Kinkajou sat opposite Moon, head laying on the table. Her fins had drooped, scales turning to a dark blue. "I… don't know what to think."

"What do you mean?"

"I can see him changing. He's not the same Winter I knew. In a way, it reminds me of how he was before the blow up." Kinkajou averted her eyes. "But… I don't know. I saw his real face that day. How can I trust him to keep his cool whenever Darkstalker is brought up now? Moons help us if a student keeps pestering him…"

"I think that's largely unfair." Moon placed down her scroll, getting to Kinkajou's level. "He was mad at us about keeping secrets, not about Darkstalker himself."

"Yeah, well, like I told him, he chose his tribe over us." Kinkajou gave her a sideways glance.

"I know. I can tell he regrets it. But, IceWing culture is 'family above all'. No matter your relationship." Moon sighed. "No matter if they tried to kill you…"

"Yeah, I don't get it. I don't even know if I have parents or siblings." Kinkajou shrugged smally. "But, truthfully, I think my answer is going to be 'no'."

Moon felt her veins freeze briefly. "Why?"

"Like I said, I can't trust him to not blow up at a student. Or any of us if he gets irate enough. How's that going to look for the Academy?"

"That hasn't happened." Moon slanted her eyes. "He had every chance to do so."

"You're right, it hasn't. But how can you be sure it won't?" Kinkajou tilted her head. "Actually… you can be sure."

"No." Moon answered quickly. "I'm not looking ahead. The future took too much from me."

"Then my answer will be no. I can't be certain, Moon. I don't want to take the risk again." Kinkajou said sadly. Her talons tapped on the desk, guilt crossing her muzzle. "I don't want to be hurt again. I don't want you to be hurt again."

"There's no way I can be hurt any more, Kinkajou." Moon averted her gaze.

Silence.

"Why?" Kinkajou suddenly asked. "Why are you so dead set on giving him another chance? What do you see that I don't?"

"I can't explain it." Moon shook her head. "It's a feeling, not something I see."

"Last time I got a feeling about him, it blew up in my face." Kinkajou responded with a hint of bitterness. "I don't want you to lose your wings, either…"

"I won't, I promise." Moon took Kinkajou's claws in hers. How small they were compared to hers. Dainty and delicate, it was like the slightest bit of force may break them. Of course, this wasn't true, but it sure felt that way.

Kinkajou remained quiet for another moment, lost in thought, before she spoke again. "The Winglet back together does sound like a good thing but… Moon, I'm scared."

"I am, too." Moon admitted. Kinkajou's fins perked up. "But, Peril and Turtle just came to me. Winter walked back into my life. Qibli and I are… talking again. I don't want to lose this, Kinkajou."

"… Alright." Kinkajou said after a moment. "I'll give him a chance, for your sake. Moons know you need a break, and if he's really helping… I guess I can grow used to him again."

Moon stood up and approached Kinkajou, wrapping her wings around the smaller RainWing. "If he tries to hurt anyone again, I can break his spine over my knee."

That got a laugh out of Kinkajou. "Yeah, yeah you can."

"So, don't worry. I can take care of myself and you. Tsunami isn't going to let anything happen to you either."

"You're too good for this world, you know that, right?" Kinkajou shook her head. "I'll… work up the courage to talk to him again. But, for right now, I'm going to avoid him unless I have to speak to him."

"Take the steps you need." Moon reassured her.

Kinkajou nodded before changing the subject to Moon's lessons. Moon happily obliged her topic change, as she needed to second opinion something anyway. Plus, at this point, she just wanted to keep Kinkajou happy. Her support meant the world.

But… what, exactly, did she see in Winter that she didn't before? It was something new, that was for sure. She remembered Cricket's words about rebounding, but that couldn't be it, could it? No, she refused to think about it. She couldn't hop into another relationship.

Right?

Sunny really didn't expect to be on another adventure this week.

Not counting Vulture a few years back, there was no real threat these days. At least, ones that she could help with. Between Jade Mountain and then taking care of her mother, it was more than enough on her claws. The Sand Kingdom itself was all consuming like a sinkhole, and she really only found herself having time to speak to Qibli consistantly.

Truthfully, she didn't know how – or why – she fell for Qibli, either. There was no pinpointing the time. It felt like just one morning, she woke up, and saw him in a different light. Maybe it was his personality. Maybe it was his closeness with her mother. She just didn't know.

But Sunny sure as heck wasn't complaining… well, about that. Their first date, if one could call it that, was crawling through damp and cold tunnels while pushing a NightWing to their leader.

It was all so exciting and tense at the same time. Although, she did wish that Tsunami was here at least. She'd thrash everyone here easily. Clay had that big intimidation factor, too.

Starflight, sadly, may make Fierceteeth irater.

"Plan?" Sunny had to jump up to Qibli's level to whisper.

"Hey bucko, you got a hidden entrance somewhere?" Qibli nudged the NightWing. "Because I feel like if we walk through the front door, we're gonna be burnt."

"Ain't wise to step in at all." The NightWing grunted. "Got a good number in there."

"And if they're anything like you and your pal, I'm not too worried."

Sunny rolled her eyes. She could tell he was playing himself up. Did Moon have to go through this?

"True, you got the jump on us, but I think you an' her are a bit outmatched." The NightWing specifically looked at Sunny. "Bigger than a dragonet, but I know one or two who'd step on her."

"I took you out easily," Sunny responded bluntly. "Dragons always underestimate the short ones, I swear…" She jolted as an idea flowed through her. "Actually…"

"No." Qibli immediately shot it down, following her drift.

"I can take care of myself, Qibli. Let's not forget, I can get in more places than you." Sunny squinted. "They'll never see me coming."

"Yeah, and if anything happens to you, Thorn will use the guillotine." Qibli argued back.

"I've been in far worse danger."

"Yeah, and I've seen OutClaws die to silly mistakes! I'm not taking it with anyone else I care about." Qibli shook his head, wrapping his tail around the NightWing's foot as he tried to escape in their argument.

"I didn't say we should go in," Sunny quickly amended. Both dragons raised a brow. "Look, I'll just go in and scout around. You keep him here and see what information you can gather."

"Look, at this point, I ain't getting paid for this." The NightWing grumbled. "Honestly think Fierceteeth is off her medication, but sunk cost fallacy and all."

"Is that so?" Qibli raised a brow.

"Said somethin' about Darkstalker being back. Now, while I seen a dragon that looks like him, I have my doubts. Why now, and why her, and all that?" The NightWing shrugged. "If he was real, he'd animus us all under his will again."

Sunny and Qibli glanced at each other. Darkstalker was… well, technically, still here. But, this dragon was right. Darkstalker was not one for subtly, and if he really wanted something, he wouldn't go out of his way to do all this. It'd be done, and it'd be done right away.

"Does she uh… know what he did to her?" Qibli asked vaguely. It was Sunny's turn to raise a brow. There was a lot about that whole adventure she didn't know about.

"I have no idea what you're talkin' about, 'less you mean the Majordomo thing. Makes sense it'd go to her head." The NightWing shrugged again.

"So, that's a no…" Qibli muttered under his breath. "Okay. You're gonna have to start at the beginning with this."

"I'm going to see what's inside." Sunny gestured her head back. "I think I see the entrance."

Before Qibli could stop her, she was already darting to a small hole in the wall. It looked more like a ventilation shaft than an actual entrance, but she could see light at the end of the tunnel. She couldn't help but snicker at the imagery. As she approached, however, her movements started making noise.

Shuffling came from above. Sunny heard talking, too. Nothing she could make out, and so she crawled to the end of the shaft.

"No idea where she went, but she should be back soon." A NightWing said.

"The Queen's starting to crack down." Another responded. "Only a matter of time before she finds this base."

"She's pressed thin. Don't think we have too much to worry about."

"Yeah, well, she just enlisted Queen Thorn's daughter and her honor guard. Y'know, a Dragonet of Destiny and one of the ones responsible for Darkstalker's first death."

The other NightWing swore loudly. "We gotta tell her, then."

"Go to the Western Side. That's where she said she was heading. Could be anywhere over there, though."

"Fantastic." Another piped up. "But, she probably knows those two are coming. And, really, it's only two of them."

"Yeah, well, like I said… Dragonet of Destiny, Honor guard. I know for a fact I'm not trained in real combat. You aren't either."

"We have numbers." The third responded indignantly.

"You really think that's going to matter?" The first brought up. "Best we can do is fortify the place so it'll be harder to get at us."

More shuffling, and Sunny crept closer. So, the NightWing was right. Someone was masquerading as Darkstalker. She didn't know how that was possible, as the NiceWing – as Qibli called it – was gigantic. Perhaps reborn into another body? A shadow of someone's mind? Ugh, this was all so confusing and kind of ridiculous.

Luckily, there was a box blocking her from view. Poking her head above it, she was able to see that this was a supply base. Several NightWings, all of which were counting inventory or doing other tasks. She couldn't see exactly what everyone was doing, but she did see the exit. It was hidden behind a slab that blended in with the walls. She had to wonder if this was all fairly recent or it was here from all the way back when.

Either way, Sunny could hear the ocean above and beside her. It made her feel claustrophobic. She never felt claustrophobic!

Still, she didn't want to stay around here long. It was best to tell Qibli and Queen Hope what she found. If these dragons can be made to talk, all of Fierceteeth's plans may unfold. She may become desperate to impress this Darkstalker imposter and be irrational.

Crawling back through the tunnel, she found Qibli and the NightWing still here. Without hesitation, she told Qibli what she found.

"Are they stocking up for a siege or something?" Qibli shook his head. "Hey, are you guys actually doing that?"

"Best to be on the safe side." The NightWing said.

"Right… well, either way, you're coming with us to the Queen." Qibli pointed upward. "Your unconscious friend, too. You think you can carry him?"

Climbing out of the tunnel was easier said than done with an unconscious NightWing weighing everyone down. It took both Sunny and Qibli to lift them out, and this new NightWing – Shadowchaser – to carry him otherwise. Sunny found some rope to bind the claws just in case their captive woke up, and then it was a slow flight to the Palace.

Queen Hope did not seem enthused to be awoken, but she strode in with her imposing figure and stared down at the two NightWings. The unconscious one had awoken, fear in his eyes. Shadowchaser seemed rather neutral about the whole thing.

"Darkstalker being back?" Hope shook her head with a scoff. "I can guarantee that did not happen. I was there when he fell."

"He's a powerful animus, do you really think that anyone could kill him forever?" The newly awoken NightWing hissed. "I seen him."

All eyes turned to the NightWing. "Speak." Hope demanded.

"Was from a distance, but I know what I saw." The NightWing responded adamantly. "Same scale and eye color and everything!"

"That is not proof at all." Hope narrowed her gaze. "Many dragons have similar scale and eye color. It may have been a simple trick of the light."

"You just don't want to think he's back." The NightWing tsked. "I don't want him back, but I'd much rather be on his side than against him."

"Hmm… and how does Fierceteeth factor into this?" Hope demanded.

"I'm not high enough rank for that, but I know she's got something planned to impress him."

"And you?" Hope turned to Shadowchaser.

"Not high enough rank either, but if you ask me, somethin' big will draw her out." Shadowchaser said simply.

"Whenever Thorn wants to draw out someone, she tends to throw a big gathering." Qibli suggested. "Seriously, you have no idea how many cartel leaders just saunter in as if they weren't being investigated."

"But that's also how we had to deal with that assassin." Sunny reminded him.

"Which one?"

It was a fair point.

"Hmm…" Hope paced back and forth, brow furrowed in thought. "I may have an idea. But, I will need some assistance in coordinating."

"Do tell." Qibli leaned in curiously.

"Not in front of them." Hope eyed the two NightWings coldly. "Guards!" She called for them, and they stepped from the shadows. Sunny hadn't noticed them being there. "Take them below. I will interrogate them later myself."

If she were younger, Sunny wouldn't have liked the sound of that. However, years of being around her mother and seeing the kind of criminals that were dealt with in the Sand Kingdom had sort of made her numb to it. Was it good? No. Not at all. She hated that she was losing her compassionate side, or so it felt.

But she couldn't just undermine the queen right now, either.

The two NightWings were led away, and then Hope turned to another guard. "Get Peacemaker and Duskweaver. I have a job for both of them."

Yeah, first and probably only chapter without Winter in it. It was needed, though. I will say, it's very weird writing a depressed Kinkajou. Especially as I am a pretty strong Winter x Kinkajou supporter. Would anyone be opposed if I turned this into a Winter x Moon x Kinkajou fic? kekekekekek My friend Aegean on Youtube did actually draw a good Minterjou, as we call it, picture, though.