Hey all. Just really wanted to push this out here before I go on my short hiatus for the next 2 weeks. Sorry that it took so long, and I do hope you all enjoy the direction I'm starting to take this. Things are definitely heating up and leading to something bit. As always, thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Wings of Fire.

It took a few minutes for Tyrant to disband the crowd of onlooking Guards, many of them whispering to each other as Tyrant approached Clay. "Never seen a Mudwing so nimble. Who trained you?"

Clay gave a sheepish smile. "I've been told. I was taught by one of the guardians to raised me and my friends. Kestrel. She was a Skywing."

Tyrant barked a laugh. "A Mudwing using Skywing tactics! I never thought I'd live to see the day." He grinned brightly. "That was impressive, Clay. I can see you've grown and matured well."

Clay smiled at the compliment, before tilting his head. "What did you mean before? About... Morrowseer's vision?"

Tyrant raised an eyebrow, looking to Wither. "You haven't told them yet?"

Clay blinked, followed by Starflight who was coming up, looking to Wither in confusion. "Told what? What haven't we heard?"

Wither gave a small glare to Tyrant, before taking a breath. "It... was something I didn't know how to lay on the both of you gently. And... I knew of it the moment I set foot on this island. I just didn't want to... hurt you both."

Clay and Starflight frowned in confusion, about to speak when Viper spoke up. "Starflight... The others and I... Fatespeaker, Ochre, Squid, Flame and I... We are dragonets of members of the talons of peace. Morrowseer brought us to this Island, telling us that... We were the dragonets of destiny."

Starflight was getting more confused. "What? Why would he say that when... We all hatched on the brightest night?"

"Because he needed replacements." They all turned to Wither as he stepped off of the ledge he had viewed the fight from, walking down with a somber expression. "... the Nightwing's powers, their powers of legend, are tied to how many moons shine on them on the night of their hatching. The moonlight itself is what enables those powers to occur in Nightwings. Every Nightwing hatched in the last two thousand years, has hatched on this island, where the smoke in the sky is so thick that it blocks out the sun and moons... Morrowseer included."

Starflight tilted his head in confusion, trying to piece together what Wither was saying, a sinking feeling burrowing into his heart as he started to connect it. "Y-you mean..."

Wither nodded, a sad frown on his face. "... Morrowseer was never a prophet. The prophecy... It was all a lie concocted by him to manipulate the events of the war to his favor."

Starflight and Clay stared at him incredulously, the young Nightwing gripping the rocks below. "That... That is... That monster. We were taken away from our families... for a lie? Tsunami separated from her mother... Clay from his siblings... Glory from her tribe... and... Sunny..."

Clay gained a sorrowful expression. "Oh no... Sunny's going to be heartbroken when she hears this..."

Starflight took a deep breath, before sighing. "... Then... why are we fighting? How can we make a difference if it's not real?"

Wither stepped down to face Starflight. "... You escaped Queen Scarlet's arena. You traversed the Seawing kingdom and aided Tsunami in finding her family. You were there to help Glory gain the confidence and strength to become Rainwing queen. And here you are, in the center of the Nightwing kingdom, a place that no other dragon has found in years. Do you really think that amounts to nothing?"

Starflight blinked as Wither gave him a smile. "Starflight, prophecy or not, you and your friends have accomplished feats of strength and will that many other dragons would fail. You have persevered beyond expectations and have pushed towards making a real change in the war. Like Clay said, there are a lot of dragons who are scared in this war... and you'd be surprised to see the impact that a single brave dragon can have on that fear."

Wither then chuckled to himself. "It reminds me of a saying I heard from a friend of mine a very long time ago." He gazed between Starflight and Clay. "The wingbeat of a butterfly can one day be the cause of a raging tornado. And one kind soul can cause the world to be changed, no matter how small they might be."

Starflight paused for a long moment. Clay recognizing Starflight's thinking face. Starflight opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted as Nemesis coughed lightly to get their attention. "Ahem. Wither... Princess Greatness seeks an audience with you... alone."

Wither gained a curious expression. "Hmm... Interesting... I'll take up that offer." He smiled to Moon, who was starting to look nervous. "Stick with Starflight and Clay for now while I see what this is all about. I'll be back before you know it."

Moon hesitated, before nodding as she moved closer to Clay and Starflight, Viper looking up to her with a curious gaze, but was pulled from it as she returned attention to Flame, who was still trying to recover from his emotional breakdown. Viper smiled lightly, finding it sort of cute that the fierce fighting partner she had known all her life had a sensitive side.

Wither waved them a fond farewell as He left, following Nemesis as Starflight and Clay looked to each other. Clay nodded, giving a smile. "Even if the prophecy isn't real... I still want to help stop this war. Too many dragons are suffering, and it needs to end."

Starflight nodded. "I was thinking the same thing, Clay."

They were then greeted by the sound of groaning as Starflight heard Fatespeaker's voice. "Come on, Ochre. Maybe they haven't finished fighting ye-... Aw, did we miss it?" Fatespeaker was standing in the cave that Starflight and Viper had come through, dragging a very groggy looking Ochre behind her.

Ochre grumbled. "What's going on? Why did I have to get dragged here? I was having a nice dream of eating deer."

Viper and Starflight both chuckled, Viper looking curiously to Starflight as he chuckled more. "What are you laughing about?"

Starflight smiled, looking over to Clay, who looked sheepish. "Clay has those same kinds of dreams. It was so funny a few days ago. He was chewing in his sleep, so I pushed a melon next to his nose, and he started nipping at it."

Clay's eyes widened, pointing an accusatory claw at Starflight. "So THAT'S why that hippo in my dream smelled like melon!"

Viper barked out in laughter, Fatespeaker giggling to herself while Moon chuckled, smiling now that the tense atmosphere was gone, before freezing as a voice rang out through the room. "Tyrant, is whatever this little spectacle was done? I've come with this month's-"

The dragonets all turned, but Moon was frozen stiff as she stared in to eyes of the only dragon other than Morrowseer that she did not want to run into. Moonwatcher could only stare, as Secretkeeper looked at her, instantly recognizing the eyes of her daughter. The stone slap that the week-long rotted prey she was carrying fell and shattered against the ground as Secretkeeper walked forward, a hint of anger in her eyes, but was drowned out by the absolute look of worry and fear on her face. "What... What are you doing here? You... You were supposed to stay safe. Away from this place. He... He promised you'd stay safe."

Starflight and Clay winced in guilt while Viper tilted her head curiously. "Um... What's going on?"

Starflight gave a sheepish look to her. "Um... Well... We... sort of promised we would keep her away from the Night kingdom?"

Wither mused on the Tattered banners as he followed Nemesis, idly perusing the decorations of the caverns. "If it weren't for the active volcano, I'd actually say this is an impressive palace. Unfortunate it was made on an island that could very well destroy itself."

Nemesis gave a shy laugh. "No kidding. well, it's all we've ever known, ever since the first night kingdom was lost."

Wither frowned, before sighing after a few steps. "Not lost... abandoned."

Nemesis's head whipped around. "What!? Why?"

Wither gave a dry chuckle. "I'm sure you're familiar with the terror of the Nightwings? Darkstalker?"

Nemesis shivered. "Seriously? I always thought that was a story meant to discipline dragonets."

Wither shook his head. "No, he was real alright... and If he had been hatched in any other era, he might have led the Nightwing tribe into greatness... But unfortunately, he grew up in a time of war and conflict..." He gave a sly chuckle. "To think, both the Nightwings and Icewings have legends and stories of how much of a horror Darkstalker was... And he wasn't even a full grown dragon when he disappeared." Nemesis tilted his head in confusion as Wither rolled his eyes. "Darkstalker was only five years old when he disappeared. Two whole tribes, terrified of a dragonet."

Nemesis sighed. "... Any other shocking revelations you wanna drop on me?"

Wither barked a laugh. "Other than the fact that I was alive when he hatched? Not really."

Nemesis stared blankly at him, before shaking his head. "Just... The princess is in here, waiting for you."

Wither walked into what he could only assume was the Princess's personal quarters. Tapestries and scrolls lined the walls, covering the lava rock behind them. A desk sat on one side with paper and ink sitting on it, while a nest made of what Wither could only assume was various animal pelts was laid out on the opposite side. Nemesis coughed, causing Princess Greatness to look up from the report she had been reading. "Princess Greatness. Wither is here as per your request."

Greatness nodded, setting down her scroll. "Thank you, Nemesis. Please, leave us." Nemesis nodded as he walked out, Wither looking to Greatness not with warmth, but not hostile either, waiting for her to say her piece.

Greatness sighed softly, looking up to the much larger dragon, the diamond necklace she wore glinting in the torchlight as she fiddled with it. "F-Forgive me if my summons interrupted anything."

Wither gained a curious expression on his face as he looked down at Greatness, the young princess sounding and looking far more nervous than she had before. "... This is the first time I've met her outside of the counsel, or away from her mother..."

Greatness sighed, before taking a breath to steel her nerves. "... You said that the Nightwings could perhaps gain a new home peacefully. That... We should have just asked for help... Is it possible to still accomplish this?"

Wither hummed. It was certainly not what he was originally expecting. "... There has been a change in the Rainwing royalty recently, and I know she is merciful. But... That is not my decision to make. It will be hers, and even though she is not vengeful, she isn't the type to simply let such actions pass without punishment. Several Rainwings were forcefully taken away from their lives, and subjected to tests that borderline torture. That is not a transgression that can be easily forgiven."

Greatness's expression drooped slightly, her talons gripping her necklace tighter. "Then... what can we do to earn that forgiveness?"

Wither tilted his head slightly. "... What makes you believe I am the one you need to ask that? I am not a Rainwing, and I am certainly not their queen. Your tribe has made a mistake, yes, and I am very old, but do not make the mistake of thinking that I have all the answers. The Nightwing's plight, though I do care about it, has nothing to do with me. I could very well simply sit on the side and watch as the stubbornness of your mother and your tribe's pride causes them all to be destroyed from the Volcano's wrath."

Greatness trembled, gritting her teeth, before looking away. "I... I don't know... I don't know what to do. Mother is becoming more erratic, Morrowseer has his claws deep in this... stupid scheme. And we're running out of time. All the prey have gone. This island is lifeless besides us... Our tribe is dying, but mother refuses to see it... and I..." She swallowed hard. "... I'm terrified. That mother's pride will cause our tribe to be erased from this world."

Wither stared at greatness, seeing what he had already assumed. Underneath all the pride and arrogance that might have been present in the counsel room, was a dragon who was simply scared for herself and her people. "... There is an ancient saying. That there are two ways to rule. By love... or by fear." Greatness's head moves to stare up at Wither as he slowly paced. "To rule by love, is to rule your people with kindness, understanding, and to earn their trust, to show them that your rule is for the better of all. To rule by fear, is to control the people by making them afraid. Of showing them what would happen if you didn't rule, or the punishments that await you if you disobey." He stopped, turning to face her. "Princess Greatness, the problem is that your people are not only ruled by but controlled by fear. You and the rest of your tribe fear the volcano, the imminent destruction it brings, and the fear of losing everything they have. Your mother and Morrowseer know this... Tell me... did your mother help in the creation of the false prophecy?"

Greatness paused, rubbing the smooth surface of her necklace with her talons. "... Yes... She spent weeks working with Morrowseer to create it."

Wither nodded. "I expected as much... Princess Greatness, this prophecy... I can tell you right now, the only reason the rest of your tribe follows it, is because they do not see any alternative. They are scared and desperate for any form of salvation from the fear they are ruled by, and this prophecy was the only solution put forward. Of course, they would cling to the first glimmer of hope that would appear... The only issue is that the glimmer Morrowseer and your mother put forward only hides the shadow of their intention... If it is found out by the other tribes that the prophecy was false... that the Nightwings lied to the entire continent, giving hundreds, if not thousands of dragons false hope... I can't guarantee that the Nightwing tribe won't be the most hated and despised tribe in all of Pyrrhia."

Greatness swallowed, realizing his words rang true. "... Mother and Morrowseer didn't just trick the world... They deceived their own tribe... I..." She trembled harder, before bowing to Wither, the Deathwing blinking in surprise as tears welled up in her eyes. "Wither. I beg you... please, save us. We are dying. Our dragonets are dying. We can't live like this anymore. Please... I-I'll give you any of our treasures you desire, but please... Please, save my tribe."

Small tears ran down her face as she trembled, waiting for him to laugh or insult her, or to mock her for showing weakness like her mother often did. Instead, she blinked as a talon rested on her head, patting her gently. "You've had it pretty rough, huh? Raise your head, Princess. I already had intentions of saving your tribe. In fact, I've already made some preparations."

Greatness blinked as she raised her head to stare at Wither, looking incredulous. "W-What do you mean?"

Wither smiled, before pulling out the Dream visitor from under his wing, showing it to the shocked Princess. "The Rainwing who infiltrated this place found this when she was snooping around. I used it to get in contact with the new queen of the Rainwings, Glory. And I've made preparations with her. She has her tribe working since this morning to prepare a section of the Rainforest to act as a refuge for any Nightwings who would go to the Rainforest as Refugees, until a new home can be found for the Nightwing tribe."

Her eyes widened in shock as she looked into Wither's kind eyes. She couldn't see any hint of a lie. "...Why? Why would you... already go so far?"

Wither closed his eyes, clenching a talon. "... Because the dragon who once stole my heart came from your tribe. She loved her tribe, just as much as I loved her... And I refuse to allow her legacy to die with this place, destroyed by the pride of manipulators."

Greatness couldn't understand that. All of this preparation for love? She had never had a partner, so she couldn't understand it, but knew it meant something to him. "... How can I help? What can I do?"

Wither smiled, before a loud rumble rang through the palace, Wither's eyes widening as cracks started forming along the ground, a small spout of lava breaking through the wall on the far side of the Princess's chambers as the ground and walls shook"... go to the Nightwings, and inform them to start evacuating. The Rainwings will not be hostile, as long as they go through the tunnel as refugees."

He turned, starting to leave as Greatness looked to him with a confused and panicked expression. "E-Evacuate? Why?"

Wither turned back to her, a stern look on his face. "That rumble didn't come from the volcano. That was an earthquake... Which means the time before this volcano erupts has shortened from weeks to... if we're lucky, a day. If not... We have only hours before everything gets bathed in ash and fire."

Starflight frowned lightly at the sight of Moon's mother looking both angry and terrified at the same time, about to step forward to try and interject when the ground suddenly shook, causing cracks in the stone below, one of the walls cracking open violently as lava started pouring through it, engulfing a rack of spears, setting them ablaze as the metal melted into a puddle. "That... can't be good... We need to get outside! Now!"

Then Clay nodded, looking worriedly at the spilling lava, slowly inching closer to them. "We should try to get anyone else out as well!"

They were about to leave when Fatespeaker called out. "There's a dragon in a cage beneath the palace. A Rainwing! We have to get her out!"

Starflight and Clay looked to each other, before Clay nodded, smiling. "I'll go get her. I've got the flame proof scales after all."

Starflight nodded. "Right. Just be safe. Everyone else, we need to get out of here."

Fatespeaker ran up to Clay. "I remember the way. Follow me." She ran off before anyone could protest, Clay nodding as he followed.

The rest of them started clambering through the tunnels of the palace, running as fast as they could to the outside. Starflight flew into the air, getting a good look at what was going on. Several new lava rivers ran over the side of the volcano's mouth, the entire island vibrating softly. He frowned, seeing Nightwings run away, before his eyes widened, seeing a newly formed river running straight towards the cave that he recognized as the first cave he woke up in here. The cave where all the other Nightwing dragonets were. He was about to fly towards it when a voice interrupted him. "Hey. What's the rush?" He turned his head to see Deathbringer flying up to meet him, his ever present smile plastered on his face with a hint of curiosity.

Starflight pointed at the lava river. "That lava is about to hit the cave where the dragonets are. If we don't hurry, they'll be trapped or worse."

Deathbringer's smile vanished, nodding. "Then let's go... Where's your mudwing friend?"

Starflight seemed to ignore his question, seeing Viper still clutching her spear. "Kinkajou! If you can hear me, Take Viper to where the Rainwings are being held. The spears act as keys to their chains!"

Viper had no idea what the Nightwing was talking about, before yelping in surprise as a Rainwing materialized in front of her. Viper blinked, before recognizing her scent, glaring half-heartedly. "You're the invisible dragon who ran into me!"

Kinkajou gave a nervous smile. "Y-yeah, Sorry about that... Not important right now. Come on." She took to the skies, Viper grumbling to herself as she followed. Starflight sighed with relief, before diving towards the dragonet cave, Deathbringer following behind. He could only pray that they were not too late.

Clay ran closely behind Fatespeaker as they descended down into the depth of the palace, twisting through hallways as more cracks formed in the walls, Clay feeling the heat of the volcano's fury leaking through slowly but steadily. He started to worry that things were going from bad to worse, as he followed, before finally arriving at the prison. Clay agreed, it was a bit dreary, but he also took notice that several cracks had formed in the walls of the underground chamber, a pool of lava slowly rising from its deepest depths towards an Adult rainwing who was screaming her head off. "Help me! Someone! Please! I don't want to die!"

Clay ran over as fast as he could, gripping the cage as he used all of his strength to drag it away from the rising lava, the metal screeching against the stone. "I'm right here. Don't worry. We'll get you out of there!"

Fatespeaker looked around frantically, before smiling as she hopped up to grasp a ring of keys that were hanging on a hook near the cave entrance. "Got it!" She rushed over, trying to jam the first key in the lock, frowning. "I-It's not working!"

Clay looked down, before taking the keyring from her. "Multiple keys. Must be a different one." He eyeballed the hole that was on the door of the cage, looking for which one might be the right one, before testing it, pushing it inside. He turned it, hearing a click from inside, before pulling the door open. "Come on. We're getting out of here!"

The Rainwing had no qualms, running as fast as she could towards the exit, whimpering as she scraped her shoulder on the way. Clay sighed, before nodding to Fatespeaker. "Let's go. We need to get out of here."

Wither was making his way through the tunnels to warn any dragons he saw to evacuate. He could already see the burning lifeblood of the volcano leaking through some of the cracks in the walls of the tunnels. He ran towards his best remembrance of where the council room was, before skidding to a top in front of the chamber. Lava was spewing up from the pool below, and he could hear some clanking up in the area that he assumed hid the queen. "Alright, I have no time for this."

He breathed deeply, before shouting. "If you're behind the wall that leads to the council room, MOVE NOW!" He gripped the ground, before running as fast as he could, extending his wings as he gained speed, before launching into the air, headed straight towards the chamber. He could hear some yelping on the other side and the screech of metal on stone right as he impacted.

Mastermind had been called to the Queen's chamber the moment they felt the rumble, The Nightwing scientist bringing the specially made armor for the queen to the room, assisted by Farsight and his assistant Strongwings. They all heard Wither shout, only able to get the armor out of the way just as Wither exploded into the room, causing stone and rock to fly everywhere, clanging off of the armor and golden treasures that rested across the room. Wither shook himself lightly, throwing dust and pebbles off of himself onto the floor, all three of them dropping their jaws at the sight of the Deathwing and the large hole he had made through solid rock with strength alone.

Queen Battlewinner raised her head from her cauldron of lava, hissing in annoyance. "You... Dare to trespass into my chambers!?"

Wither frowned, giving the Queen a blank stare. "The island is in the process of being destroyed and that's what worries you?"

Battlewinner growled loudly, before hacking as cold icy frost expelled from her mouth, Wither sighing at the sight of her. "Everyone needs to evacuate. The Volcano will erupt soon."

Mastermind stuttered. "W-we know, but... H-her majesty..."

Wither looked at Battlewinner, before sighing, muttering to himself "Curse my bleeding heart." He slipped off the bracelet that kept him normal sized, growing larger and larger in the room, before placing his talons on the lip of the cauldron much to the protest of Battlewinner, before lifting it off of the flames that brewed below, handling it like a large bowl. "There! Now, Get out of here!"

Mastermind and Farsight both looked at him agape, before nodding as they ran to take off from the hole he had made, Wither growling as he smashed the hole larger as he made his way forward, his scales scraping against the walls of the palace as he made his way to the exit of the palace."

Clay and Fatespeaker made it outside just as a wave of Nightwings flew towards the ashen beach, all of them muttering and talking amongst themselves in panicked tones. "Are we all going to die?"

"It wasn't supposed to happen for another four months."

"Where are the dragonets?"

Clay looked around to try and spot their group, before spotting Flame and Ochre with Secretkeeper and Moonwatcher. He sighed in relief as he flew down to them, landing with the frantically panicking Rainwing. "You guys are alright?"

Moon nodded. "Yeah. We've been trying to gather everyone at the-" She was interrupted by a loud explosion, a Jet of lava bursting into the sky before falling down like a rain of burning death. Nightwings cried out in pain as small droplets landed on them, burning their scales as they tried to fling the burning rock away.

Moonwatcher winced, gripping her head from the frantic thoughts of every dragon on the beach.

Clay walked forward to her, looking to the others. "Everyone, stand behind me." They all nodded, gathering behind the Mudwing as he flexed his Wings open just as another jet shot into the air. He winced as the lava dropped onto his scales from the impact, but he was able to withstand the burning material much better, his scales glowing from the heat.

Moonwatcher panted as she tried to regain control, to do as Wither taught her and drown out the voices in her head. She was then stopped dead in her tracks as one dragon's thoughts entered her mind, looking to her mother. "... He knows I've been lying... Morrowseer is looking for me."

Secretkeeper's expression went from worried to extremely worried. "... We need to move somewhere else. Where he won't find up."

Clay nodded. "No matter what, we'll help protect her, even if he tries something."

"If who tries anything?" Clay froze, turning to see Morrowseer, looming over them with a furious expression. "Do go on. How are you going to protect an imposter Dragonet from me?"

Wither scraped through the halls, carrying the cauldron of lava and a very irate Battlewinner as he squeezed through twists and turns, before finally bursting out of the main entrance to the palace, lava and stone raining down from above. He winced at the heat of the melted stone on his wings but pushed to take Battlewinner all the way to the beach, flying as fast as he could. "Every dragon out of the way!"

Every Nightwing looked to see what the commotion was, before screaming as they scrambled out of the way just in time. Wither had to admit that the cauldron was heavy, forcing him to fly low as he went full speed to the edge of the beach. Only one unfortunate dragon didn't move, and it proved to be his undoing for whatever he had planned, as Morrowseer initially raised his head to vent his fury on Clay, only for Battlewinner's cauldron to smack him hard in the back of the head with a loud clang as Wither passed over him. Morrowseer wobbled from the blow, swaying from side to side, before falling onto the sand, knocked out cold.

Wither stopped just short of the waters of the sea, setting Battlewinner down. "There. Now we can see what to do next."

Battlewinner hissed violently. "You dare to remove me from my chambers! You carry me like I was prey! You will pay for your arrogance!"

Wither frowned deeply. "Look around you." He gestured to the burning sky and the spewing volcano. "This place is dying. And it was your arrogance and pride that kept you here."

Battlewinner hissed, looking ready to lunge when Greatness stepped forward. "Mom. Please, listen to him. We... We are all dying. This place has been killing us for generations. Not just now. We... We need to survive mom. And if it means casting away our pride, then so be it."

Battlewinner growled. "Foolish daughter. I will lead the Nightwings to their glory!"

Wither returned the growl. "You will lead them to their deaths! All of these dragons look to you for guidance, and it was YOU who kept them here! You who planned and schemed with Morrowseer to go to war! Every dragon and dragonet who has died on this rock, their blood is on your talons. You have failed your people as a queen!"

Battlewinner hissed, gripping the edge of her cauldron. "I will not be disrespected by a low born whelp and a fool of a daughter!"

Greatness took a step back from her fuming mother, Wither taking a step in front of them. "Silence. You lost the respect you had the moment you chose your pride over your tribe. A queen is meant to lead her people, not suffocate them in a land of ash and death. You could have reached out with negotiations at any time, yet you sat there, manipulating the world from the shadows. The actions of a coward!"

Battlewinner roared, lunging to jump out of the cauldron, but Wither simply slammed her back with a single talon. "Don't be in such a rush to kill yourself, Queen of Nightwings. I can see what afflicts you, an Icewing's freezing breath that threatens to freeze your heart. There is a cure, but I will only provide... If, you relinquish the Nightwing throne, and proceed in what is happening peacefully."

Battlewinner's eyes grew wide with fury. "Relinquish the throne? To my... failure of a daughter? Never!"

Wither eyed her with a look that could only be described as disappointment. "... If you lung out of that lava, I will not stop you this time. You will die from the frost spreading through your body."

Battlewinner gritted her teeth. "Silence! I refuse to be mocked any longer!" She lunged at Wither, splashing Lava from her vessel onto the ground as she tried to claw at Wither. Wither gave a sad sigh, looking down at the Queen who was trying desperately to find purchase with her claws, even as the frost began to form on the outside of her body.

He waited as her movements slowed down over time, frost and ice forming on her scales as she roared weakly, trying to kill him even to her dying breath, before completely falling still, frozen solid on the sands. Greatness whimpered, small tears falling down her cheeks as she pressed her head against her mother's frozen body. "Mother... Why didn't you just listen?"

Wither placed a talon on the princess's shoulder. "It's not your fault, Princess Greatness. You did all you could. In the end... it was her decision. You are not to blame for any of this."

He waited as she wept, mourning for the loss of her mother, before turning to address the awestricken onlookers, before speaking as he stepped up onto an elevated rock. "Dragons of the Nightwing tribe. I know all of you are scared. Afraid of what is going to happen to your tribe. But do not be afraid. Trust the dragons around you. The Nightwing tribe will not die this day."

All of the Nightwings looked to each other in confusion and skepticism, before one of them called out, one of the council that Wither remembered seeing in his trial. "And what can you promise us!? You killed our Queen!"

Wither did not falter, his face as stern as he could muster. "The Queen made her decision when she attempted to kill me, disregarding her own safety for the sake of pride. But What I can promise you all is safety, food, and protection. Even now, Glory, Queen of the Rainwings, is preparing a section of the rainforest to house any and all of your tribe that seeks refuge, until a new home for the Nightwings can be found."

The Nightwings all muttered amongst themselves in disbelief and distrust, arguing if it's too good to be true, before Wither noticed someone missing, addressing Clay. "Clay. Where is Starflight?"

Clay looked sheepish when Moon pointed towards the Dragonet cave, the river of lava getting ever closer to the entrance to block it off. "He went to warn the Dragonets! He hasn't come back yet!"

She was about to lead the way, when large talons grasped her, pinning her down as she gasped, now staring into the face of a very angry Morrowseer who had woken up from his blunt force induced nap. "That is enough out of you, false Nightwing! You are not Celeste! There has been no Celest in the past two decades! You are working with him, a traitor to your tribe!"

He was trying to strangle her, Moon harshly gasping as she tried to claw at his talons, before he was thrown off of her by Wither, who stood over her protectively. "That is enough Morrowseer! The island is being destroyed! Who she is doesn't matter! Get your head out of your tail! Your control is gone!"

Morrowseer roared in anger. "This is all your fault! The plan was going perfectly until you ruined everything! If the Dragonets had just played their roles like good little pawns, we would not stand at the brink of death! This is all your doing!"

Wither glared at Morrowseer, before slipping on his bracelet returning to being about the same size as Morrowseer. "Fine then. You want a fight Morrowseer? You have one. You and me. No one else, no interference. I'll even give you the advantage by not fighting at my full size."

Morrowseer glared angrily at Wither as he returned the glare, both dragons pacing around each other as the Nightwings pulled away, watching anxiously to see the outcome of the duel.

I figured it would be best to leave it here so I can stew how I want to do the fight in my head while on my trip. And yeah, Alternate dragonets will still be addressed, I just felt I had made enough filler to justify moving the plot forward. As always, thank you all for reading, leave a review if you'd like. It's always nice to hear back from those who read my story, And I'll see you all when I get back.