...Many months later...

Peril lay sleepily next to the egg. It glowed faintly in the late evening light. A squirming crack was just visible in the dim sunlight.

Life had been calm and fulfilling lately. Glory's and Deathbringer's egg had hatched, revealing a beautiful dark purple dragonet with seafoam green stripes racing down her spine. Her eyes were a stunning emerald green with a deep blue outside, Clay had said. Peril liked Princess Firefly already.

Peril was all alone in the cave. Clay was off flying with Tsunami, and Sunny was reading to Starflight in the library. Riptide had visited recently, bringing the news that the Sanctuary was going well.

Blinking, Peril watched as two shapes appeared from behind a mountain; presumably Clay and Tsunami. Sunlight shone brilliantly on the two, highlighting Clay's amber underscales and Tsunami's deep blue.

Yawning, Peril glanced at the egg. Her eyes widened as she noticed another deep crack etched on the surface. Then a third crack appeared.

It was hatching.

"Clay!" Peril was suddenly full of energy. Her voice rang out, and the shapes in the sky suddenly flew faster. Peril's heart leaped in her chest as the egg rocked. "It's hatching!" 

The two dragons landed on the outcropping, hurrying towards Peril. Clay crouched down by the egg, brushing wings with Peril.

The egg rocked harder, and then it cracked down the middle and opened up. Peril gasped.

The dragonet was beautiful. His amber underscales gleamed. His perfect claws were sharp and strong. His incandescent copper scales were perfect jewels. And his amazing, electric blue eyes blazed into Peril's own.

"He's amazing," Tsunami breathed. Clay nodded faintly, compelled by the dragonet. 

"He is." Peril glanced at Clay, and then back at the dragonet. It cooed and stood up on wobbily talons, unfurling his wings. They were lined with the bright fiery veins, just like Peril's.  

"It's Bronze, isn't it?" Peril said to Clay, referencing the name of the dragonet.

"I think so. Hello, Bronze." Clay held Bronze's tiny claw, and Bronze cocked his head curiously.

"Welcome to the world, my lovely dragonet." Tears of Joy, Tears of Love, Tears of Fire splashed on the stone.