Sorry all for the long wait. It's getting harder to push these out without the rest of life getting in the way. This is not to say my passion for the story has dimmed, it's just getting harder to see where I'm going with it. I'm no expert at writing, but I really want to get the final confrontation with Morrowseer right, so That may take me quite awhile to figure out. But anyway, I hope that this one can be up to expectations. Enjoy.

I do not own Wings of Fire.

"Normal speech"

"Thoughts"

"Flashback"

Moon looked around nervously as they delved into the cave network of Jade mountain. She remembered stories that Jade mountain was named that way because when striping the mountain of minerals, they found a huge shard of jade, larger than any dragon, in it's heart. She seemed to recall her mother talking about a story of another mountain that was even bigger than jade mountain, but it seemed to elude her. Who could blame her, being trapped in a network of tunnels with no certainty that there was a way out, and even worse, the prospect of her raging father finding another way in to ambush her and the others. But she kept her thoughts open, in order to hear if she could sense Morrowseer's nearby. This had the added effect of being able to hear the thoughts of the other dragonets.

Tsunami was leading the way, her scales glowing to show the path forward just enough that they could make progress, before Clay suddenly chuckled. "Hey, Tsunami. This remind you of anything?"

Tsunami blinked, before also giving a chuckle. "If you mean when I had to come and save you when we escaped our cave, then yeah, I remember."

Moon tilted her head in curiosity, before Clay noticed and started to explain. "Morrowseer came to our cave where we were being raised when we all were big enough to fulfill the prophecy, but... the skywing that was supposed to be brought didn't make it. So Webs got Glory's egg... Morrowseer apparently didn't like that, and ordered for our guardians to kill Glory, while chaining Tsunami up. The only way we could think of getting out was to go through the small river that ran through our cave, so I went on my own to try and find the way out so I could open the door on the other side of the cave exit. But I got stuck in some sticky stuff that burned me, and woke up to Tsunami cleaning me off, since Sunny and Starflight melted the chain that held Tsunami. But it was really pretty."

Moon felt him focus on a memory, before seeing the image from his mind. It reminded her of a clear night sky, but instead of stars, it was a pure black ceiling covered in glow worms. She had never seen them, but her mother did teach her about the... edible creatures that were around. She shivered internally, remembering when she got so hungry one time that she ate a huge beetle. It was the creepiest and most disgusting meal she had in a long time.

They made their way deeper into the mountain, before Moon's head perked up. "I hear something... A dragon, but... It's not Morrowseer."

Everyone turned to her, Ochre looking the most confused. "What are you rambling about? I can't hear anything."

Starflight jumped in to save moon the explanation. "She can read minds. Like the actual Nightwing legends." He turned to her. "What is this other dragon thinking?"

Moon focused on it, before shivering hard. "Pain... So much pain... hunger... and regret." she then tilted her head in confusion. "and... hoping that dinner comes soon?"

Ochre rolled his eyes. "Same sentiment there. I haven't at all for about a day. Not since that fish Wither caught for my group."

Sunny looked down in thought. "Well... If it is another dragon, and if it isn't Morrowseer... Wait!" Her eyes widened as she remembered. "The dragon of Jade mountain! Kestrel told us to seek him out if we were in trouble."

Moonwatcher frowned, shivering. "... I can feel... so much sorrow... I... I don't think this dragon even has the energy to fight if we approached him..."

Clay nodded. "Well, then we should probably go to ask this dragon if they know a way out of the mountain."

Tsunami nodded. "Better than wandering down here for a few hours. Maybe we can convince them to share some 'Dinner' with us."

Moon felt a bit skeptical about that, but knowing that it was the best option they had, she agreed, the dragonets delving further into the cave system to meet the dragon of Jade mountain.

Wither felt rather awkward, having both Glory staring at him incredulously, and having Grandeur glaring at him. He gave a sigh, rubbing his head with a talon. "... Where to begin with this... explanation?"

Grandeur's glare did not change, anchored on Wither as he flinched. Glory looked between the both of them, before sighing. "Should I... give you both a moment of privacy?"

Grandeur huffed. "You're fine exactly where you are, Glory. But you, Wither... You owe me an answer."

Wither's eyes locked with Grandeur's, before she realized that the lively eyes of the dragon she once called her mentor and love interest were... tired. Exhausted even. Wither's gaze fell to the ground as he took a deep breath, remembering his encounters with the old Rainwing queen

It was nearly 50 years ago that Wither first met Grandeur. He had been out gathering fruits for the day when he saw a young Rainwing slip and plummet down towards the ground. It was going to cause a severe injury at least, and possible kill the young dragonet if she landed wrong. He didn't even think before he acted, dropping his harvest to catch the young Rainwing dragonet.

She had thanked him for saving her, and once Wither had heard the story, that the previous queen had passed away to leave everything to her young dragonet, he couldn't help but feel a little sorry for Grandeur. So much responsibility on one so young.

"... I've... been around for some time, so... If your rule does start getting tough, feel free to come to me for advice. No one should have to deal with taking care of a tribe all on their own, and... well, Rainwing complaints are notorious enough that even I know about them." He smiled to try and show his support for the young queen.

Grandeur took him up on that offer, flying back to her village... only to show up the very next day. It was obvious that some of the... less than important issues of the Rainwing tribe had taken up the majority of her day. He happily sat back and allowed her to vent her frustrations, acting as a neutral ear to listen to her. It had been a long time since he had someone to... call a friend.

Years passed by as Grandeur grew from the young Dragonet queen he had first met into a beautiful and strong ruler of a tribe that had started to build it's strength. She came to Wither about many issues. Food, training, practice and methods for growing the Rainwings to become less set in their, as she put it, lazy traditions. He gave what advice he could, and suggestions about what would be best for improving the quality of life of the tribe, without adding on to the tendencies of the Rainwing tribe.

Then came the fateful day when Wither left the Rainforest. Grandeur had just reached 16 years old, and was already considered one of the strongest Rainwing queens in recent history. The forest was thriving with Rainwings, and she had come by the little hovel that he had called home for the last few years. He originally came to the Rainforest as a small vacation from his island home that he had purchased from Queen waterspout. The sea was fine, but too much of the same thing every day did lead to boredom from the ancient Deathwing.

Wither had been plucking flowers, for a trip that he always made once a year when Grandeur arrived, standing as a tall and proud queen. "You know, you never did tell me why you leave every year with those flowers."

Wither gave a soft sigh, staring at the pedals of the fragile plants in his talons. "Princesscilias... They're fairly rare and... well, my reason for gathering them is my own business, nothing to concern yourself with."

Grandeur smiled, shaking her head. "Nearly fifteen years we've known each other, yet you're always so secretive."

Wither gave another sigh. "I have my reasons." He turned to her, setting the flowers down gently. "Did you need something? another rainwing asking about longer suntime?"

Grandeur smiled, before shaking her head. "No problems, Wither. Just... I wanted to be with you today."

Wither turned his head curiously, before shrugging. "Well, who am I to say that you can't. Just... please be careful of the flowers."

Grandeur nodded, looking over said flowers. "... I heard that flowers have meanings... what does this one mean?"

Wither stared at the fragile plants for a long moment. "... an Irreplaceable treasure."

Grandeur blinked, before snorting. "What, like some kind of fancy chalice or something?"

Wither shook his head. "... The kind that no worldly possession can ever replace."

Grandeur blinked, before taking a deep breath, steeling her nerves. "Wither... You've aided me in growing the Rainwings for a long time and... Well, I've grown to trust you."

Wither snorted. "I've heard that last line many times, grandeur. Trust me, it... doesn't last..."

Grandeur frowned, before clearing her throat, and trying again. "The point being... You have given me more than... any other dragon has. The rainwing tribe owes it's prosperity to you."

Wither sighed, wrapping a small vine over the flowers to bind them together. "Grandeur, you know I don't like avoiding the main point. If you have something to say, you can say it plainly."

Grandeur was feeling a little frustrated. This was a big moment for her, before sighed. "Wither... I would like you to become my king."

Wither froze still holding the flowers delicately in his talons, a sinking emotion pitting in his stomach. This was the worst scenario he could have thought of right now, and it was staring him in the face. He took a deep breath, not meeting her gaze. "... I'm sorry, Grandeur... But I have to refuse that request. I... I cannot be your king. Nor will I ever be."

Grandeur's face slowly shifted from hopeful to hurt. Then betrayed as tears started to fall down her face. "B-but... Why!? You could have everything here! The tribe would love you! We'd be at peace, you can help me build them to be great! I... I love you..."

Wither flinched with each shout directed at him, before turning towards him. "... I know you do, Grandeur. I'm not saying you're lying... but... Those feeling you have... are impossible for me to return to you. You love me, but... I cannot love you, Grandeur. Please, understand..."

Grandeur's expression became more sorrowful with each word, before anger sparked in her gaze. "Am I just not pretty enough!? Haven't I listened to everything you said!? I loved you! I trusted you! And now you're just going to throw me away!?"

Wither stared at her with tired eyes, before closing them with a sigh. "... I'm leaving the rainforest, Grandeur... This... is goodbye... I hope you can find the happiness you deserve." He turned away from her, the bundle of flowers in his talons, before taking off into the air, flying away. He even above the rainforest, he could hear her roaring at him to come back... yet he didn't.

Wither looked up to the now aged Grandeur. She was still quite beautiful, but she had definitely felt the strain of age and authority over the years. "... I suppose... I wasn't the most forward with my words at that time. Or rather, the most clear..."

Grandeur growled. "You abandoned me, Wither... You lest me alone and the Rainwings... devolved back to how they were before... I had to come up with this queen system because my own dragonets couldn't even come close to the aspects of a ruler... How can I ever forgive you for that!?"

Wither took a few calming breaths, before looking to glory. "Do you... still have the locket?"

Glory blinked, before nodding, taking it out of the little satchel she had been wearing around her neck, gifted to her by her brother. He opened it, staring at the drawing inside of it for a long time, before looking up to Grandeur. "... I never hated you, Grandeur. And... I never wanted to hurt you like that... I... meant what I said, all those years ago. It's not that your emotions were wrong, they were... Simply emotions that I could never return to you. I didn't want you to fall into a one-sided love that kept you from living your life freely."

Grandeur's frown lessened, before Wither handed over the pendant, showing the old Rainwing queen the picture of the ivory spotted Nightwing inside of it, her gaze softening. "...Who is this?"

Wither smiled sadly. "Celeste... the love of my life... The dragon who captured my heart... but... She died... a very long time ago. and... I don't think I'll ever be capable of loving any dragon other than her. She... completed me. and losing her... It left a void in my heart that has never gone away."

Grandeur's eyes widened as she looked up, staring at him. "... An irreplaceable treasure..."

He nodded. "... those flowers... were for placing at her grave. in a small clearing on the side of Jade mountain. I go there every year to mourn losing her." Just as every year... I travel to the ruins of my home village. Always on the anniversary of... the worst days of my life... The two days that I lost everything."

He suddenly got up, his strength having returned. "That... Is why I refuse to just sit here... I'm going after the others. I refuse to lose them."

Glory stepped back in surprise, before giving a sigh. "You always were the stubborn type... Alright. Go. We'll make sure everything's taken care of here."

He turned away, before looking back at grandeur, a regretful look on his face. "I... am sorry, Grandeur... I do hope that you found the happiness that you deserved."

Grandeur watched him fly up, breaking through the canopy of the rainforest, before giving a short laugh, looking down at the locket again. "... I guess I never really could compete, huh? Maybe... it's time I let go and move on."

Moonwatcher kept the sensation of the dragon she felt in her mind, letting it guide her. It was strange to say the least, being the first time she had ever used her powers in this way before. It was like trying to feel which side of her head was feeling the most swelled. Which, thanks to her crash earlier, was not exactly an easy task, and the headache from making her mind scream inside of Morrowseer's was not helping in the slightest.

She groaned, rubbing her head as they went forward, Starflight looking towards her with a bit of concern in his eyes. "You okay, moon?"

She nodded. "Y-yeah, just... I was a little rattled when Morrowseer crashed..." She rubbed at her neck, gliding her talons over cuts that Morrowseer's talons had made which stopped bleeding awhile ago. She was glad that they were shallow, or it might have been a lot worse.

Starflight nodded, before smiling. "Hey, I was curious. How did you get Morrowseer to crash like that?"

Moon blushed lightly, looking to the side. "W-well... I remembered the feeling of Wither blocking out my powers, so... I got the idea that, maybe, instead of reading another dragon's mind, I could push my own thoughts into his, so... I pushed as far as I could into Morrowseer's mind as I could, before screaming as loud as possible. I... Imagine he crashed from the sharp migraine."

Starflight chuckled. "Bet that came as a surprise for him. Smart move. I probably wouldn't have been able to get away if he had tried to catch me."

Moon blushed harder, not used to getting praise for what she had considered a curse all her life. She then froze as they turned a corner, coming to what she had felt. The tunnel opened up into a vast cavern, the air chilly with moist dew lining the ground. The slope had taken them further down into the heart of Jade mountain, the cave giving off the sensation of a antechamber. And there, on the far side of the cavern, was a dragon.

He was larger than any of the dragonets, being fully grown. From the black scales dotted with silver, it was obvious that it was a nightwing, but what made them worried was the fact that nearly half of his scales had turned to stone, lifeless and unmoving. On top of that, he was nearly embedded into the wall, the darkness making it hard to tell where stone stopped and dragon began.

Sunny looked squeamish as she got a little closer. "Oh, poor dragon... I can't imagine being stuck li- AH!" She jumped as the dragon in the wall creaked open an eye, staring at her.

A low groan came from the dragon, before giving a long huff, small flames coming out of his mouth as he stared at the dragonets in his cave. "Guests... Oh joy. Why do you disturb me, little ones?"

Sunny backpedaled, before Tsunami walked forward. "You... You're the dragon of Jade mountain, right? The one Kestrel told us about?"

The dragon seemed to pause for a moment, before his eyes roamed the dragonets in the chamber, gazing at each of them. "Kestrel... I remember that name... One of the Dragonet guardians... does that mean you are...?"

Tsunami nodded. "Yeah... Well, not all of us are here. Glory is back in the Rainforest."

The dragon gained a curious look on his face. "Glory... That does not sound like a skywing name... Ah, yes. The Rainwing replacement. Morrowseer was fuming when he found that out..." He chuckled softly, before coughing, taking raspy breaths. His voice was tired, as if he wanted nothing more than to go back to sleep.

The dragonets then heard the pitter and patter of paws on stone, a small fox trotting into the chamber with a large squirrel hanging limply in it's mouth. The dragon opened it's mouth as the fox dropped the squirrel inside, before he started to chew. "Please do not try to eat Dinner. He's the only reason I'm still alive, and haven't died of starvation."

Sunny blinked, looking at the small furry creature. "You... named it dinner? How did you get it to do that for you?"

Starflight hummed to himself, before looking up at the dragon in the wall in surprise. "You're an animus!"

The dragon huffed. "Yes... I suppose it is fitting for the Nightwing to put the dots together first... I am Stonemover... An old, foolish Nightwing."

Clay nodded. "Well, I'm clay. This is Starflight, Tsunami, Sunny, Ochre and Moonwatcher."

Ochre huffed, grumbling as he picked at the patch over his eye, before glaring at Stonemover. "So, how did you end up like that, anyway?"

Stonemover sighed. "... My animus magic. I enchanted myself, so that using my magic would not take away from my soul... Now... It claims my body instead."

Sunny frowned as she looked at the scales that had turned to stone. "That sounds awful."

Stonemover sighed. "It's the least I can do, for atoning for my actions. The sins I have committed... the mistakes I have made over the course of my life."

Tsunami frowned. "What mistakes?... Wait..." She then got defensive. "You! You're the one who made the tunnels in the Rainforest, aren't you!?"

Stonemover's expression morphed into surprise. "... How do you know about the tunnels? The Nightwings shouldn't have..."

Clay butted in. "We were in the Rainforest to visit Glory's tribe after we left the Seawing palace. Starflight and I got... abducted by the Nightwings and taken to the Island. It... It's gone now."

Stonemover's gaze hardened. "What do you mean, gone?"

Starflight sighed. "The volcano... An earthquake caused it to erupt early. We're lucky that we managed to evacuate all of the Nightwings to the Rainforest before any dragons were killed."

Stonemover stared at them for a long time. "Then... Purpose of the prophecy has been fulfilled?" Sunny and Tsunami blinked in confusion, while Clay, Starflight and Moonwatcher flinched. Stonemover noticed this, before sighing. "I see... The three of you have discovered the truth... But they do not know."

Sunny looked to Clay and Starflight, her gaze flickering between them. "D-don't know what?"

Moonwatcher looked at Stonemover, seeing and hearing in his mind just how tired he was, before she sighed. "... Sunny... this is something Wither told me... These scales around my eyes." She tapped one of the tear drop shaped silver scales on her face. "These act as a mark of a Nightwing prophet... According to Wither... Every prophet has had scales like these on them."

Sunny and Tsunami were confused at what she was getting at, trying to understand, before Tsunami's eyes widened. "..." She gritted her teeth as she trembled in rage, anger nearly pouring out of her as Sunny froze, her face becoming horrified. "Then... Morrowseer..." Her heart sunk as a creaky voice finished her thought.

"Was never a prophet." Stonemover finished for her, sighing heavily. "The dragonet prophecy... it's all fake. It was never a prophecy. Simply a ploy for the Nightwings to use to invade the rainforest for a home away from the volcanic island."

Wither flew as hard as he could while still letting his body recover. It had only been a few hours since his 'death' and his body was still sore all round. Only downside to regeneration on a power that acts as life force, it's extremely taxing whenever it's used in bulk. His wings ached to rest, but he knew he'd have plenty of time for that in the caves that travel through Jade mountain. He gazed over the huge mountain in the distance, trying to find where they might have gone.

It was then that his eyes caught something on the side of the mountain. A rockfall that had to have happened in the last few hours. He angled down, gliding to land next to the large pile of rocks and boulders, sniffing at it. "Moist... This used to be a cave entrance..." He then noticed some blood on the ground, as well as on the slope leading upward. "Oh no... I hope I'm not too late..."

He took back to the sky to find a cave that would connect with this entrance, but even he, who had lived for so long, had never made a map of the tunnels that ran through the core of the mountain. He flew around the mountain's base until he found an entrance fairly low, landing next to it, before noticing the light trail of blood on the ground that led inside "I'm not sure what's worse... hoping that this doesn't belong to the dragonets... or that this might be Morrowseer..."

He quickly placed his bracelet back on his talon, shrinking down to a size that could actually fit inside before rushing inside the tunnels, closing his eyes to focus on his sense of smell, trying to pick up any of the dragonets as he ventured down into the tunnels.

Sunny's face was one of disbelief and sorrow. "B-but... We... We've made it so far and... We..."

Clay immediately pulled her into an embrace, trying to comforts his little sister figure. "Hey, It's okay, Sunny. This doesn't change who we are."

Tsunami growled. "... If Wither doesn't kill Morrowseer, I will. that... Monster, needs to pay for ripping us away from the lives we should have had."

Starflight placed a talon on her shoulder. "I understand, Tsunami... I was angry too, but... at the same time, if It didn't happen then... None of us would have met each other... though, we probably would have as enemies in the war. I know it might be wrong to say, but... I'm glad we were brought together. I don't know what I'd be doing if I hadn't met amazing dragons like you and the others."

Tsunami stared at him incredulously for a long moment, before giving a sad laugh. "... Is it wrong that I hate you when you make points like that?"

Starflight chuckled. "I wouldn't expect any less out of you. Regardless... We're in this together, prophecy or not. We're... a family."

Ochre frowned to himself as he watched the others get together, comforting one another. His mind returned to his days in the talons of peace, having to fight Viper and Flame for food almost every day, the adults ordering them day and night, and many cold nights where he slept alone. He had heard stories from some of the adult Mudwings about how close they were to their siblings... Not that he had ever met his. He was whisked away to the Talons of peace right after hatching according to the adults. His mother was the one who volunteered him, but she didn't care. Just like most Mudwing parents didn't care about their kids. He hated admitting it, but being with the other dragonets that he grew up with helped... stave off a longing for the companionship he desired from his siblings. But, now that he's spent some time away from them, it grew to where he could notice it for the first time.

It felt like he was empty. A hole in his scales that wouldn't stop reminding him how much cold air it let in. A pit in his stomach that food could never fill. And seeing the dragonets in front of him. Clay, Starflight, Sunny and Tsunami... He was jealous. Jealous that they could stand together in the face of something that, for him, would have shattered his resolve. Learning that everything you had to go through was all because of a lie? That would break most dragons. It would certainly have broken him.

Moonwatcher could hear Ochre's thoughts, his doubts and his frustrations. "Ochre..." The older mudwing turned to her, glancing at her with his one good eye as she took a deep breath. "... I know how that feels, you know? Being... jealous of the bond that other dragons have... But you do have that bond, you know?"

Ochre tilted his head, narrowing his eye in confusion, which was easily misunderstood as a glare. "What do you mean?"

Moonwatcher flinched, before relaxing as she confirmed that he wasn't angry. "... Flame, Viper, Fatespeaker... Even Squid... It might have been rocky for a long time, and even if you all would never admit it... they do care for you, at some level. I've felt it. I know it's hard, being alone... I can't even imagine going back to how I lived before I met them, living alone in the Rainforest. I would get really lonely fast."

Ochre stared at the ground for a long moment, before actually smiling. "... Well... I suppose that's better than nothing..."

Stonemover gave a long sigh. "I'm tired, so if you all would be so kind as to leave me be?"

Sunny looked at the stone covered Nightwing, before taking a deep breath. "... Is there anyone you know of that can help us end the war?"

Stonemover's eyes widened in surprise. "... You still wish to proceed, even though you know that it was all fake?"

Clay smiled. "Hey, even without a prophecy, we escaped queen Scarlet, freed the Seawings from Blister's rule, gave the Rainwings a new queen to lead them, and evacuated all of the Nightwings away from the island before they all died. If we can accomplish all that without a prophecy, then we can also end this war without it."

Stonemover stared at each of the Dragonets for a long moment, before giving a tired chuckle. "... Even with all my magic, you dragonets amaze me... I do know one, but... She is in the Sand kingdom." The dragonets flinched, before motioning for him to continue. He sighed heavily. "... Seek out the scorpion pit. It is a settlement outside of the main palace where outlaws and criminals gather. It may sound intimidating, but the one in charge is a good leader. Seek out the dragon named Thorn. She will help you in your endeavor. and... Tell her that I am sorry that I couldn't have been a better dragon for her."

Sunny was about to reply when they heard heavy talons hitting the ground, all of them turning to where the sound was coming from, another tunnel that led to this room. "Is that... Morrowseer?"

Stonemover heard the underlying fear in her voice, before sighing. "Go. Hide. I won't tell him anything."

The dragonets nodded, before moving back to the tunnel they had first come from, hiding in the shadows as Tsunami let the glow of her scales fade away. They watched as their eyes adjusted, before said Nightwing charged into the room. He was panting, growling from how hard he was breathing, his mangled wing still stuck to his side. He whipped around on Stonemover, who gazed up at him tiredly. "Where are they! I know they passed through here!"

Stonemover gave a long yawn, before smacking his lips. "Hello to you too, Morrowseer... Any reason you're shouting at me?"

Morrowseer growled in anger. "The dragonets of destiny! Where are they! I know they must have passed you to get further in these tunnels!"

Stonemover blinked slowly at him. "I've been asleep for hours, Morrowseer. I'm not sure why the Dragonets would be here, but I'm plenty loud when I sleep."

Morrowseer roared in frustration as Stonemover frowned. "... Is there a particular reason why they would be here? I thought the plan was going smoothly... Or did some things change?"

Morrowseer stopped, before turning to Stonemover, growling angrily. "You know something... You're hiding them!"

Morrowseer was about to lunge when Stonemover's eyes glowed menacingly. "I still have my magic, Morrowseer. And I will not hesitate to use it if you intend to attack me. I can spare a few scales to deal with an arrogant dragon throwing a tantrum as if he just came out of his shell."

Morrowseer growled in rage, before roaring in frustration, only proving Stonemover's point as he turned to a random tunnel, starting to charge through it.

A long minute passed as the sounds of Morrowseer raging echoed further away, before Clay let out the breath he was holding. "I don't think we want to run into him right now. He looked really angry."

Stonemover chuckled in response. "Morrowseer's pride has always been a soft spot for him. You dragonets should go. You've got a lot of work ahead of you if you want to end this war."

Glory paced back and forth in her throne room. She couldn't help but worry about her friends, even if she had to stay and sort out all the Nightwing's needs. There had been a bit of a scuffle with a Nightwing called 'Strongwings'. He was apparently Mastermind's assistant in doing their tests on the rainwings. Mastermind willingly gave himself to Glory's custody, much to the ire of his wife, Farsight. His assistant had been... less cooperative. He started fighting back, giving Heliconia a large gash on her side as she tried to stop him. They resorted to sedating him with sleeping darts while the healers tended to Heliconia's wound.

She gave a deep sigh, already forming a headache when a knock came at the entrance to her throne. She gazed up, seeing a Nightwing she recognized. She was the same Nightwing that came through the tunnel with Starflight. She never recalled catching her name. And there was a second Nightwing next to her that she recognized all too well. "Deathbringer, Your timing is perfect if you'd like to kill me to get me out of all this organizing and dragon managing."

Deathbringer laughed at that. "As much as it's tempting, no. I think I'd rather not try to kill you. Rather, this one wanted to speak with you."

Glory turned to the other nightwing. She was a little older than Glory and seemed to be clutching something in her talon. "You're the one Starflight came through with, right?"

The Nightwing gave a weary smile. "Hi... Sorry if I sound a bit rude sometimes. I'm... not used to talking with dragons who aren't Nightwings. I'm Fierceteeth. I'm... Starflight's sister."

Glory blinked in surprise. "Sister?... Huh. Didn't think the Scroll worm had one." Fierceteeth tilted her head in confusion as Glory laughed. "An inside joke. Starflight's always burying his snout in scrolls whenever he gets the chance. It's good to meet you, Fierceteeth. I'm Glory. I'm one of the Dragonets who was raised alongside Starflight, and currently the new Queen of the Rainwings."

Fierceteeth gave a half smile. "Thank you... Well, anyway, I wanted to see you because..." Her expression fell, before bowing to Glory. "I... Want to apologize. For my Father's involvement in the experiments in the rainwing and... For my mate's actions against your tribe."

Glory gave her a confused expression, before her eyes widened. "Strongwings was your mate?"

The older Dragonet nodded. "Yes... I... Originally was with him because, despite his size, he's... very much a pushover for doing anything I wanted, but... After Meeting Starflight... I... Don't want to be that kind of dragon anymore." She gave a sad smile. "... I was cowering with all the other dragonets when the island was erupting... yet, Starflight came back to save us... I... I want to have that kind of strength too."

Glory gave a fond smile. "Heh. That's funny. Every time Starflight's been in a scary situation, he usually tried to do his best impression of a statue... Maybe he just couldn't stand the thought of something bad happening to you while he could do something."

Fierceteeth blinked in surprise, before placing something on the ground. It looked like a disk made out of black glass, circular in shape, the edges of it gleaming like sharpened blades. "As an apology, for Strongwings and for intruding on your land... I wanted to give you this. It is one of the Nightwing's last animus treasures. The obsidian mirror."

Glory eyed it curiously, gently picking it up as she gazed at it. The moment her talon touched the glass, it felt like a haunting chill ran up her spine. The glass was cold. Unnaturally cold, sending shivers down her spine "... what does it do?"

Fierceteeth sighed. "I'm not sure on the specifics, but supposedly, you breath flame onto it after speaking the name of a dragon, and the smoke from the fire will let you see a Smokey look at any dragons who are nearby and hear anything they're saying."

Glory gazed at the glass for a long moment. "Unfortunately, I can't breathe fire... But Nightwings can." She took a deep breath, before setting the mirror down.

Fierceteeth nodded, before looking to Glory, who sighed as she spoke, meeting Fierceteeth's eyes. "... Let's see what Morrowseer is up to."

Hopefully I did this right. I do still wish to push forward until I complete this story of mine, but I am being hit by the bane of all writers on fanfiction. This doesn't mean I'll be stopping or abandoning this story, but It may take me longer than expected, especially with other life things going on. I will try to get the next chapter at least in late February or early march. I hope that you all enjoyed this chapter. Feel free to leave a review or any constructive criticism. I'll see you all next time.