Winter's POV:

I have to leave.

There was no doubt about it, I've been thinking about what my sister had said, and even though I barely believed it myself, a part of me hoped that it was true. Maybe my brother was alive, which meant I have to find Icicle, and convince her that we could help him escape from Scarlet.

I packed my things in a small fur pouch around my neck, and made sure that Bandit was comfortable on my back, before sneaking out of the cave when everyone was asleep.

Goodbye Jade Academy. Goodbye Moon, Turtle, Kinkajou....and Qibli.

My heart wrenched at the thought of leaving the SandWing behind, without even confessing my feelings towards him, not like I was brave enough to do that anyway.

Goodbye, Soldier.

Qibli's POV:

I woke up from a nightmare.

It was still dark, and everything was quiet. I still felt shaken even after the nightmare had ended. It had been about Winter getting his throat slit by Scarlet, I was frozen on the ground, and I couldn't save him as I watched helplessly as he bled to death.

The thought of losing the IceWing was too much to bare.

Just to assure myself, I stood up from my sandpit to check on Winter. My heart launched into my throat when I saw he wasn't on his ledge.

Maybe he took a walk down the halls, I thought. Then I noticed that Bandit was gone too, and so were Winter's things. My breathing quickened when I realized where Winter must've gone.

Quickly, I stepped in front of Turtle's pool, and shot a jet of fire into it's surface. A frenzy of bubbles later, Turtle emerged with wide eyes. "What the hell, Qibli!," he yelled.

"Wake up Moon and Kinkajou! ," I told him.

"What? ," Turtle replied, confused.

"Winter is missing! ," I said urgently. "Wake up the girls, and meet outside of the Academy! ."

I didn't wait for a reply, because I was already sprinting out of the cave. I just hoped, that I wasn't too late.

Winter's POV:

(Magical Time skip, brought to you by Sora the MudWing, who deserved a freaking Winglet)

I treaded through the rain, shielding Bandit with my wings. I couldn't fly through the storm, so I had to take shelter in the woods until it passes.

The cold didn't bother me since...you know, I am an IceWing. But I didn't want Bandit to catch a cold, and I needed some goodnight rest before the big journey ahead, but I don't know how long it takes to get to the woods from the mountain in walking distance.

"Winter! ."

I recognized the voice, and turned to see Qibli flying towards me, with the rest of our winglet. As soon as they landed before me, Qibli stomped over to me. "Of all the irresponsible, dangerous, stupid things! ,"he muttered. " What were you thinking, Winter, doing this alone! ."

"I'm sorry, Qibli, but I have to do this! ," I shot back. "If there's a slight chance that my brother's alive, then I have to take it. You don't get it because you don't like your siblings, but I love Hailstorm, and this is the only way--."

"You misinterpreted me,"Qibli interrupted. "What were you thinking, doing this alone? You could've asked us to come with you."

I looked down at my feet. "I was thinking of finding Icicle, of convincing her to help each other free Hailstorm from Scarlet's grasps ."

Qibli sighed. "Winter, I know you don't want to believe it, but what makes you think there's still hope left for her? ."

"Because she loves our brother too," I said. "I know there's good inside her, and I have to help her before she gets hurt."

Qibli looked at me for while, before saying. "Then let us come with to make sure she doesn't try anything."

"You mean, you guys would come with me? ," I asked, hopefully.

The Jade Winglet nodded in agreement.

"Uh..No one will mind if I stayed here, right?," Turtle asked. "I mean, someone needs to tell the Sunny and the others where you guys are."

"And to keep care of Bandit while I'm away? ," I asked.

Turtle nodded, looking relieved. "Sure." I handed him my scavenger, and he put Bandit on his back.

"Before we go ," Moon said suddenly. "Winter, there's something I need to tell you."

She dragged me to a spot out of earshot with others. "I know you have feelings for Qibli."

I gasped. "How did you---."

"I just know," she said simply. "And I think it's time you confess."

I glanced nervously at Qibli, before turning back to Moon. "What if he doesn't feel the same way? ."

"Trust me, he may be naïve about his feelings for you, but I know that you are the only thing on his mind," Moon insisted.

I thought for a while, before taking a deep breath. "Okay." Then moved towards Qibli. "I need to speak to you in private," I told him.

He made a confused look, but followed me as we moved a short distance away from our winglet. "What's wrong---?."

"Qibli, I like you! ,"I blurted out, feeling my face deepen into a dark blue.

Qibli just stared at me. "Huh? ."

I sighed. "I know I sound like a complete fool, but I like, I might even love you! You're just so sweet, tough, considerate, and the best friend I ever had, and it's okay if you hate me now--."

"Hey, who's says I hate you? ," asked Qibli.

I looked at him in surprise. "I just thought---."

"Look ," he cut me off. "So you like me, so just confessed undying love for me, but I don't hate you...I feel quite the opposite actually." He suddenly placed his talons on my cheeks.

I stared at him, blushing even more. "Qibli--."

I was cut off once again, when suddenly Qibli pressed his snort against mine. Holy moons! The kiss only lasted a moment, but I felt like I just melted, and I didn't care.

Qibli smiled at me, he was also furiously blushing. "You're cute when you ramble like that," he teased. "And I do feel the same way about you, it just took me this long to realise that I can't live without you."

I returned his smile, and pulled him into embrace. "Does that mean I have a tough rugged Outclaw for a boyfriend? ."

"And I have a funny annoying Prince for a boyfriend," Qibli agreed. "C'mon, let's go find your sister, together."

The End.

Phew! That was fun to write, sorry I couldn't include Peril or Moon's prophecy, but this is fanfiction people! Nothing has to be accurate unless you want it to be! Anyway, thanks for reading, and thanks for being patient with my late updates, I might do another fanfiction after this one, but now, I'm gonna nap like a RainWing! Bye!