Glow lifted her head from her rather uncomfortable sleep. She shifted in her awakening, but soon found that there was a source of heat embraced in her arms. She looked down at her SandWing companion curled up comfortably in Glow's massive wings, her breathing steady and focused. Aw, she was lonely. Glow smiled and nuzzled the top of her head. She heard the sounds of a dragon swearing and got up, letting out a large yawn. She looked around the room. "Ugh, what time is it?" Glow asked groggily.

       "It's time to shut your trap and have a look." Corona and Glow whipped their heads towards the doorway in response to the sound. They were shocked to find that it was Kite, sporting an uncharacteristically serious expression on his small face. Needless to say, Glow and Corona got up and peered out the doorway. Glow recognized Tsunami's snarls and cobalt blue scales. A horde of SkyWing guards were dragging her into the throne room, supervised by Cinnabar. Kite shrunk backwards into the room. "You two go deal with it. This is your job to handle, Glow, and I'd feel better if you had Corona with you. Me and Evenstar will stay here and take care of Frigga." Kite ordered, sounding not like himself. It threw Glow off, but before she could protest, Evenstar peered out of the corner from Frigga's drooping wings.

       "Listen to him. This is your responsibility and your place to intervene – we can handle ourselves here." He pressured.

       Kite shook his head. "No. You go too, Evenstar. They'll need you." Kite suggested. Evenstar looked skeptically worried.

       "Are you sure? Are you feeling okay?" Evenstar asked, his eyes carefully scanning his companion.

       "Yeah...surprisingly. But Frigga's not well enough to watch another arena match, so please go with them and then tell her what happens afterwards." Kite retorted. Evenstar still looked uneasy, but Kite put his tail around the little NightWing's shoulders. 

       Evenstar shook his head. "I can't just leave her!" He cried. "I know you can take care of her and I trust you, but two dragons with her is better than one." He reasoned.

       Frigga lifted her head gloomily, much to the shock of everyone in the room. "No, Evenstar." Frigga's drowsy voice quietly echoed from her pale body. "Please listen to Kite. He speaks with sense. The others need you more than I – I'll be alright." She murmured. Glow felt a skip in her heartbeat at the sound of Frigga's voice.

       "Master, are you alright?" Glow asked quickly. Frigga sighed.

       "A little better, but not by much. The young ones did well tending to me, but I still grieve yet." She paused, looking rather disappointed. "I'll need much more time to heal." Frigga whispered sadly.

       Corona dipped her head. "We understand, Frigga. We'll take care of everything." She reassured.

       Frigga tilted her head toward the SandWing. Her cheeks were stained with her tears and her ice blue eyes were dark with depression. "I know you will." She muttered before she flopped her head back onto the stone floor. "I trust you." She muttered again.

       Corona nodded. "Thank you. Get your rest and take care of yourself. We'll be back soon." She promised. Glow nodded at Corona and Evenstar and led them out into the throne room. Once she stepped into the light, she saw the marble tree with Glory relaxing peacefully on it. Her scales were dark gold with flushes of navy-blue and teardrops of crimson. There were two of the SkyWing guards standing between the tree and Clay, who was bowing to Queen Scarlet along with Starflight. Starflight eyed Evenstar curiously, to which Evenstar curtly nodded.

       "Ah, our guests have awakened. And just in time to see our most prized prisoners, too." Scarlet said, waving a talon at the dragonets before her. The SkyWings bringing Tsunami in suddenly jumped back. They were covered in fresh cuts and bites, obviously the furious SeaWing's work. Tsunami looked over at Glow and her friends in a both suspicious and curious expression. "Well, hello. We've been waiting for you." Scarlet mocked. "I gather you're enjoying your stay?" Scarlet asked, looking amused.

       "This is an outrage!" Tsunami hissed. "How can you treat dragons this way? Especially us! We're the –"

       "– dragonets of destiny, yes, very thrilling." Scarlet finished. "I understand that you've been underground for the last six years, so perhaps you haven't heard: not everyone wants this war to end." Scarlet stated clearly, smiling.

       "Yeah, well all good things must come to an end, y' know." Corona quipped, earning a little giggle from Clay, although Tsunami was too busy scowling at Scarlet. Starflight still looked uneasy and nervous in the SkyWing queen's presence. Glow bumped Corona with her wing to tell her to be quiet. Evenstar shuffled underneath Glow's wing to hide from Scarlet's searching gaze.

       "Ah, your wit is always amusing, little SandWing. I quite like you."  Scarlet mused. Glow shifted uncomfortably. Not entirely sure whether that's a good thing or a bad thing. Scarlet searched the corridor behind them. "Where's Frigga and your other little SkyWing friend?" Glow noticed Cinnabar's ears prick interestedly and Glow began to feel anxious. She thought very carefully about how to answer Scarlet's question without giving Kite away, considering she didn't have the aid of Ore's company or One-Eye to save her this time.

       "He's tending after Frigga. She still needs time to recover after the other day."  Glow answered, avoiding Cinnabar's accusing gaze.

       Scarlet nodded, seemingly convinced. "Ah, yes. Arena matches can be exhausting sometimes, I suppose." Scarlet said. She turned to her guards. "Captain, post two guards outside of our guest's dorm. She needs her peace and quiet and shouldn't be disturbed." Scarlet ordered.

       Cinnabar nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty." She said. She directed two of the blood-red guards that brought Clay in to stand post at their dorm. Glow let out a quiet sigh, thankful that Cinnabar didn't go with them and catch Kite alone with Frigga. Glow thought about the queen's gesture and found it rather odd. That was oddly considerate.

       Scarlet turned her head back toward the dragonets before her. "Anyways, as I was saying," she said, clearing her throat. "Personally, I think the war is quite entertaining." She went on. "I pick up lots of contenders for the arena from the battlefield. And it's a terrific distraction for those dragons who might have otherwise challenged me for the throne. No one's tried in about eight or nine years. Saves me a lot of trouble." Glow remembered what Vermilion said about Tourmaline and Ruby. I wonder what this kingdom would have been like with Tourmaline as its queen. Probably a lot better than it is now.

       She spied a dark red SkyWing peering from the corner. Vermilion was right beside her and he caught Glow's searching eyes. She observed the SkyWing beside him. That must be Ruby. She looked rather meek and quiet, but perhaps that was what this kingdom needed. If only she was brave enough to challenge her mother. She then noticed the three male dragons on Scarlet's other side, two larger ones of different shades of red (the larger of the two being a more vibrant red), and a smaller one who was more orange. Prince Dipper, Crimson, and Hawk. Her thoughts were interrupted by Tsunami's vocal spirit protesting against the SkyWing queen.

       "So it's alright with you that hundreds of dragons have died all across the world." Tsunami spat.

       Scarlet gave her a pitying look. "As if you know anything about that. Have you been in a real battle? Have you ever seen hundreds of dragons die? Do you know anything, really, about this war?" Glow turned her head towards her dorm and Frigga's sad pale blue body sleeping peacefully. Frigga has. Glow hung her head low. War takes everything.

       "We've studied it." Tsunami said, snapping Glow's thoughts back to the present situation. 'We know it's awful. We know innocent dragons are getting hurt." Tsunami reminded.

       "Well, it's easy to say war is awful." Scarlet said, waving a talon. "But it's a lot harder to solve these problems without a war. Especially when you're talking about dragons. Fighting comes naturally to us." Those words sounded angrily familiar. Don't worry, Peril. I'll do something to help you soon. "You should know – you attacked me when you barely even knew me."

       Scarlet presented her tail and the ugly red gash along with it. It looked incredibly painful and Glow recoiled in shock. Tsunami seemed flustered.

       "And who should be the next SandWing queen?" The queen asked. "Burn, Blister, or Blaze? I'd love to know if you've already decided that, from the wisdom and wide experience of your safe little underground cave."

       "That's not our fault." Tsunami said. "We wanted to be out in the world."

       "Hilarious. As if you'd have survived this long out here. Your minders did tell you what happened to all the other dragonets born on the brightest night, didn't they?" Glow's ears pricked forward. "Tsk, tsk." Scarlet said. "Well, I won't go into details, but it was very sad." Glow scowled angrily at Scarlet's tease. Oh, buzzards! Glow thought frustratedly.

       "Excuse me." Clay said. Starflight stamped on his foot, trying to keep him quiet, but Clay pushed him away. "Ow, stop! I have a question! Excuse me, Your Majesty." He said. "Where's Sunny? Is she alright?"

       "Oh, the funny-looking SandWing." The SkyWing said. Glow's brows furrowed and her lip curled into a greater furious scowl. "Funny-looking." I think you mean "Most beautiful dragon in the world," you monstrous creature! "I think Burn will like her very much. She collects curiosities. You should see her palace. It's quite horrifying – full of two-headed lizards and seven-toed dragon talons and stuffed scavengers with the palest skin you ever saw." 

       Glow began shuddering, both with fear and with fury. Every scroll that described Burn's collection always described the pungent smell of death and the horrors she held. The very thought that the lovely and sweet Sunny would be given to such a savage beast and placed in such a barbaric collection was enough to consume Glow with pure hatred. She didn't notice that Corona was holding Glow's talon very tightly and looking at her with a pleading look. She seemed to say with her face you need to do something! But she couldn't risk blowing her cover. If she did, she could say goodbye to saving the world and to rescuing any of the dragonets. Unless...

       "That misshapen dragonet will be the perfect present for her." Scarlet finished.

       "You can't give Sunny to Burn!" Tsunami flared. "We have to stay together!"

       "I can do whatever I like. This is my kingdom." Queen Scarlet said.

       "No! You can't!" Glow blurted out without thinking, choking back the pure rage that was threatening to overtake her.

       All the other dragons in the room turned to look at her, Scarlet and Cinnabar were particularly interested. "And why is that, little SkyWing?" Scarlet said, suspicion lacing her voice like poison.

       Glow swallowed and raised her head to meet Scarlet's heinous yellow eyes. Her mind was and resolve was wavering, and Glow needed to think of something. And fast. Think , Glow! Think! How can I get out of this and save Sunny? She then remembered that she wasn't a dragonet of destiny, at least not to anyone else in the room aside from Vermilion and her friends.

       She was only a simple merchant.

       "B-because I," Glow paused, thinking of a plan. I'm sorry, Sunny. "I have a business proposition for you." Corona's eyes went wide with shock.

       Glow definitely caught Scarlet's curiosity. "Go on." She said plainly. Vermilion peered from the corner at her, his eyes widening with panic. Glow dipped her head. Don't worry. I'm not planning on giving her the scrolls, Vermilion.

       "Imagine how much money a dragonet like that could go for." She said, confidently. "Do you really think Burn would pay you as much as we could? How much money does she even make off this war?"

       Scarlet laughed. "What makes you think the pilfred pieces of a wandering business can offer a better deal than the future Queen Burn of the SandWings?" She said condescendingly. Glow wanted to claw off her stupid face. Future queen. She thought contemptuously. Only in your sickest fantasies.

       Glow smirked, but she felt absolutely disgusted with herself. I sound like I'm trafficking Sunny, and that is one of the most heinous things any dragon could do to someone. Especially to someone like Sunny. "Five thousand gold pieces."

       Scarlet's yellow eyes glinted curiously. "That's a lot of money for a small merchant's guild." Scarlet said suspiciously. Glow smirked internally in victory. Yes! She's interested! "How could you have possibly curated that much?" Scarlet asked disbelievingly.

       "We've been around a while. We're pretty well-known." Glow responded with cockiness.

       Scarlet smirked. "And how do I know you're not lying to me and planning to sneak off with her without paying me?" The evil queen mused.

       "Look at us. Do we look like we could fight past any of your guards, let alone you, the longest reigning and most powerful queen of the Sky Kingdom?" Glow said. A dragon as vain as Scarlet must respond well to flattery.

       Scarlet reeled back, satisfaction painted her face. "Hm." She said. She placed a claw to her chin, considering Glow's offer. Come on! Take the bait! Scarlet turned to Glow and smiled. "You have a deal, Glow." She extended her claw to confirm their deal. Glow had a sneaking suspicion that Scarlet was lying, but so was Glow. Besides, all she was trying to do was buy them time, so she shook her claw enthusiastically, smirking at the queen. I feel so horrible...Her stomach was churning with disgust at herself.

       But it was done, and Sunny has more time to be saved.

       Glow had never felt sicker to her stomach than at this moment. Clay and Starflight looked at her in disbelief while Tsunami looked as if she were about to tear her head right off her neck. Glow shrunk back in instinctual fear. If I get the chance, I'll explain it to you. I'm trying to save you all, even though you'll probably still hate me for it. Corona and Evenstar looked genuinely impressed with Glow, not that it made her feel any better about her barter. And I wouldn't blame you.

       "What about Glory?" Clay asked.

       "Yeah, are you going to sell her, too?" Tsunami hissed. Clay winced in response and looked at Glow in pity.

       Clay ignored Tsunami. "What's wrong with her?" He asked, concerned about the drowsy RainWing.

       "Nothing's wrong with her." Scarlet said. "She's quite perfect, if you ask me. A lovely accessory for my throne room, so I won't be selling this one, though I'm certain she'd be worth a fortune." Glow wasn't sure whether to claw the ground anxiously, or sigh in relief.

       "But why is she all – sleepy?" Clay asked.

       "RainWings are naturally lazy creatures. Hadn't you noticed? But then again, MudWings aren't known for their brains." Glow scowled again. So condescending and disrespectful. And MudWings are just fine, thank you! Glow thought of Willow's light peach face and her sweet caring violet eyes and felt a stab of loneliness. If she were here, she'd know what to do better than me. Or Whitecap.

       "You have to let us go" Tsunami said. "You can't stop the prophecy and we'll –"

       "Shush." Said the queen. One of the soldiers prodded her with a long stick. "Your spunkiness is starting to bore me. Now listen." The queen paused, waiting to have utmost attention. "In two days we are having a big celebration for my hatching day. I want the three of you to be thrilling and fierce in the arena for me. But I also promised my subjects that today's fight would be exciting, so if I put one of you into it, it would be very thoughtful if you could win. So. Is the NightWing up to it?" Scarlet asked. Evenstar looked very uncomfortable with the thought of one of his own tribe being slaughtered in the arena. "Which of you is most likely to win a battle to the death against, say, an IceWing?" Glow suddenly flashed back to one of her combat lessons with Frigga.

       "Now, young SkyWing, I want to tell you a secret fighting technique for fighting IceWings." Frigga said, facing her young SkyWing student. She was charge of her combat lesson that day, as Whitecap was at the border of the Ice Kingdom and the Kingdom of Sand and Willow was replenishing their medical supplies.

       Glow's eyes lit up at the prospect of learning an IceWing secret. "Really?" She asked whimsically.

       "Yes." Frigga said, smiling. "Do you see the spines on my head?" Glow nodded. "They are incredibly sensitive – if you strike them, it will stun the opposing IceWing, giving you an opening to strike." Frigga said, pointing to the extra IceWing horns on her head. "Do you understand?" The IceWing asked.

       "Uh-huh!" Glow said enthusiastically, swishing her tail excitedly.

       Frigga nodded approvingly. "Alright, then let's begin training." The IceWing suggested.

       "Me." Clay and Tsunami both said at the same time, snapping Glow back to the present. Starflight was staring down at his talons miserably.

       "Adorable." Scarlet said, narrowing her eyes at them. "But seriously."

       "Me. I'm a great fighter. Put me in." Clay said. Glow was feeling very anxious. It was clear even to her that Tsunami would be the better choice. But then again, Glow wasn't surprised that Clay would put himself in harm's way to protect them all. She would do the same if her friends were in this situation. If only I could fight for you. I would win, and none of you would have to get hurt.

       "You're delusional. I beat you all the time. I'm the strongest of all of us." Tsunami snapped.

       "Not all the time." Clay snapped back. "And a MudWing would be more exciting than just another SeaWing, wouldn't it?" He reasoned.

       "He does have a point." Glow said, trying to support Clay's decision despite her concern for him, and Tsunami's increasingly furious glares. Glow would fight instead of Clay; she knew she could defeat an IceWing easily. But she knew how suspicious it would look if she jumped in to defend Clay or the other dragonets, endangering the mission and her friends.

       "True." Queen Scarlet agreed.

       "Just another SeaWing! How dare you? You know I'm the best fighter!" Tsunami raged.

       "I love your enthusiasm, dragonets." The queen said, draping her massive wings together. "Guards, take these two away." She flicked her tail at Tsunami and Starflight. The SkyWings eyed them carefully, especially Tsunami. "As for this one..." Her eyes became malicious yellow slits. "Prepare him for the arena." She ordered.

       The remaining blood-red guard and Cinnabar dragged Clay down the stairs towards the arena. He and Glow exchanged a look, and Glow desperately hoped for his safe return. Scarlet turned to walk onto the balcony. "You three can join me and my art piece on the balcony." Scarlet invited. "I have a distinct feeling that this will be a thrilling match." Scarlet cooed. She ushered Glow, Corona, and Evenstar onto the balcony, dragging Glory's marble tree behind her. As Glow looked out at the stands full of SkyWings, she felt her stomach twist and turn with anxiety. I really hope you know what you're doing, Clay.