Glory blinked, a dark purple spreading through her scales. Who is this scavenger… "Have we met before?" She asked, crushing all hints of purple. Another talking scavenger, The Speech program just started. Maybe a friend of Wren? She approached the scavenger thoughtfully. I need to be careful "So what brings you to the Rainforest? "She asked

"Other than my dashing good looks" ``Deathbringer said, winking.

"If you had any, smoke breather," she retorted, not missing a beat.

" The smoke brings out my eyes," he said grinning.

idiot ..."Glory thought, rolling her eyes, she squashed the pink worming its way into her scales, backhanding Deathbringer for good measure.

" HEY" Deathbringer groaned, " same spot too," he muttered

Hopefully, that worked. Deathbringer usually shut up after getting one or two well-deserved hits. ( Although she always made sure to not hit him too hard. :) Ignoring his overdramatic cries of suffering, she turned back to the strange scavenger. "Ignore my bodyguard he gets a bit… rowdy at times," she explained. Glancing back she noticed that Deathbringer had a far-off look staring into the forest. She frowned slightly. I'll need to ask him about Quickstrike soon…

The scavenger blinked "Eer yeah it's fine" he said He raised a paw toward her, sweat dripping off his face. " I-I'm Evan"

She racked her brain for any mention of an Evan, She groaned internally. Keeping up with all the different names and people was one of the most agonizing things about being queen. It is quite a unique name though. she thought. I would think I would remember such a weird name. She narrowed her eyes. "There was something else about him that seemed… wrong somehow. But she couldn't quite put her talon on it."

She pinned a small smile on her face "It's nice to meet you Evan, I am Queen-

"-Glory of the Nightwings and Rainwings" he interrupted. "

she blinked I need to keep a close eye on this one… hopefully Wren knows him."

"Yes, Let's head to my hut so we can talk freely. " She said

Wait… how am I going to get there?" Evan asked

She cursed internally. Frog Spit I'm not going to let him ride me like Sunny let that other scavenger…" she thought for a moment studying her talons.

That could work. She reached down to grab Evan.

"you gonna smack him too?" Deathbringer asked.

"Sure," She said. Smacking Deathbringer.

" OOOOOW" The red welt now appeared on his left cheek matching the one on his right.

She reached down to grab Evan "OI WAIT "he protested. I DIDN'T" SIGN UP FOR TH_MMMMMh ``

'' Oh pipe down she said. "You'll be fine." Probably…

. . .

(Evan's Pov)

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA'' Evan had been on many roller coasters before. They were usually fun. But to compare his current ride to a roller coaster. Would be like comparing a squirt gun to a fire hose.

" THIS FREAKING SUU-*whap*-OW" he shouted. A new scratch appeared on his face. He raised his arms futilely against the constant hailstorm of branches, webs, and wildlife that Glory seemed to intentionally smash him into.

'OW' "MO-"*whap* THE*web* -ER-*giant fly* F-" SORRY" Glory shouted I haven't quite gotten a hold of the tree gliding yet. "WELL NOW WOULD BE A GREAT TIME TO- OOF..."

They landed, Hard, slamming into the wooden floor. He gasped for air, slowly struggling to stand. That was fun. he thought, body screaming in new bruises and cuts.

"Remind me never to….woah"

He gaped, awestruck looking around in wonder at the Rain-Night Village of the Rainforest.

dragons of every size and color flew through the trees. Gliding from branch to branch with the skill of monkeys, colors he didn't even know existed swirling, and weaving through the Rainwing's scales. The huts and hammocks are decorated with plants and flowers. with colorful bridges connecting them. Just like the books. he noticed

" We use the flowers to help mark which house is which," Glory said.

She's a mind reader too?" he thought "Glancing down he noted Some stone, and clay huts with dark shapes dancing along the ground. Dark shadows against the jungle floor. What are those, he thought, is it some sort of monster or ... .Nightwings. he realized. " Do Nightwings prefer the ground or?" he asked

Glory nodded " Yes, although most like the tree canopy, quite a few of my subjects prefer the solid ground," she explained "Even if that ground is full of panthers, pythons, and other idiots." she growled softly red edging around her frills. Hmmm, he turned back to the small Nightwing group, Smiling as he spotted rainwing, and Nightwing dragonets playing together in the shade of the overcast trees.

"Mmmmm, he felt warm from watching them play. It reminded him of…

the grin faded from his face. The feeling was gone, Two Nightwings glared at him from the forest. He blinked and they were gone. . . "Pretty nice right," Deathbringer said smugly.

He jumped. When did he get here? Glory didn't even flinch.

" Yes, it's just a little… Overwhelming to be honest," he replied. Glory chuckled "Welcome to my world. Let's head-".

"QUEEN GLORY", someone shouted QUEEN GLO- He spun around just in time to see a black blur intercept the approaching dragon. Deathbringer slammed the would-be attacker to the ground. a disk to the dragon's throat. I shouldn't be surprised, he thought, he is still an assassin, maybe the best in the world. I need to be more careful. He turned his gaze back to Deathbringer and the newcomer.

He shuddered, as he noticed Deathbringer's eyes. Cold and Lifeless. What do you want Mastermind? "His voice reflected the cold steel in his talons.

Wait Mastermind! Starflight's Dad!" he realized "He's out of quicksand? " he asked. Glory frowned

" Yes the "Scientist" she emphasized with her talons. Was released on probation, Despite him being an utter slimeball he does claim that he wants to change."

Mastermind…. I mostly just feel disappointed about him. He's smart but doesn't seem to have any sort of moral compass. He Thought. Although he was raised on a volcano. He conceded.

"HOOOLD'' Mastermind whimpered. Do Not Kill Me, Sir There Was A Scuffle An-"

Deathbringer pressed harder on his neck. " where," a line of blood trickled down Mastermind's throat.

Deathbringer is still disgusted at Mastermind for what he did. and maybe himself too."He Realized

. " AT ThE MAngo TRees" Mastermind choked out,

Glory sighed. "Deathbringer can you…"

Nodding Deathbringer leaped off the platform, heading in what Evan assumed were the mango trees. Wow, that was fast.

Mastermind dragged himself off the ground. A hand covering the gash in his neck.

"With that queen," Mastermind said, stumbling to his feet. "I'll get back to my studies" Scurrying back Mastermind tripped, tumbling off the ledge. He yelped, crashing into several branches before managing to spread his wings.

Elegant" He remarked. A flash of yellow appeared through Glory's scales. ( Rainwings are like living mood rings) I've never seen Mastermind so scared, he thought that quicksand caused a lot more damage than just his imprisonment.

"Well, with that thorn removed." Glory Said, turning "Let's head to my hut."

. . .

Standing next to Glory's hut Evan looked unsteadily at the long line of Rainwings leading to the flower hut. "It may not be a castle but it's enough," Glory said. he nodded it was quite beautiful, with all shapes and sizes of flowers leading to the richly decorated hut.

"What's with the line of Rainwings?" He asked

Glory sighed " After much pestering from both my bodyguard and Grandeur, we decided that once a week all Rainwings and Nightwings could throw themselves at me to solve their problems."

"Huh," He said, walking straight through the line "smart."

Turning Glory addressed the line "Come back tomorrow, My council is closed for today." Sighing the line dispersed a few grumbles and growls emitting from the crowd. (mostly Nightwings.)

But he also noticed how they still obeyed Glory and left, A few Rainwings leaped off the walkways. Using their tails to swing away. Amazing how loyal they are. He noted. Not to mention their tree-gliding skills.

"Shall we?" Glory asked, waving at the leaf door. Her scales had returned to normal.

"Oh-uh yes, Sorry" He jumped forward through the doorway. Inside he observed a decorated hammock, (throne) and a sloth lounging in a small, mini hammock next to the main one. A scavenger paced by a small desk on the opposite side of the room. The desk is loaded with scrolls and ink.

" Brbl" the sloth chirped scurrying onto Glory's neck " BRbls "Screw" bErul "me"

" I was only gone for a few minutes" Glory protested"

"BRBL" the sloth argued.

"Huh cute, " He said,

" who? This little furball?" Glory said, raising an eyebrow.

"Smefol" The Sloth agreed.

She laughed, allowing the sloth to burrow next to her shoulder.

She's grown a lot! He thought. not only as a Queen but as a person.

"Zelve" The Sloth exclaimed.

Noticing their arrival, the scavenger strode towards the queen, Glory, we still need to talk about the Scavenger-Human Treaty." she reminded.

Wait, that's… WREN, he realized. It took him a second to realize that it was her.

She stopped looking at him cautiously. "Who's the new Guy?" she asked cautiously. Glory tried to reply "This is-"

"Evan" he Interrupted extending a hand. "Huh, Scavenger-Human treaty… I'm guessing that's some sort of equality treaty for scavengers?"

Wren accepted his hand hesitantly, gripping tightly "Nice to meet you-" she glanced behind him " SKY DON'T YOU DARE '' She roared.

"Behind me!" He whipped around just in time to see a Dragon bearing down on him, Ivory claws outstretched.

Not aga-