Clay and Tsunami landed beside the grate above Kestrel. Glow followed suit, and settled beside them with Corona. The rust-coloured SkyWing's yellow eyes glared at Clay through the bars and then opened in recognition when they landed on Glow.

       "What are you doing here?" She hissed.

       "Rescuing you." Tsunami snapped back. "Against my will."

       "Be grateful that Clay was kind and forgiving enough to convince Tsunami to help save you, Kestrel." Corona quipped.

       "Stand back." Peril said as she reached for the metal lattice-work. Her claws laced through the metal and they instantly began melting, the familiar wafting scent of melting metal following.

       Kestrel watched Peril with an uneasy expression, her forked tongue flicking in and out slowly. Peril remained focused on the bars. They were thicker and took longer to burn through than Sunny's birdcage.

       "I thought you were dead." Kestrel said.

       "I thought you were dead." Peril replied coldly.

       "I heard Scarlet had a lethal new champion." Kestrel said. "I didn't know it was you."

       Peril merely shrugged. "I guess I didn't need you. I turned out all right without you." Glow caught the doubtful glance exchanged between Clay and Tsunami, and exchanged glances with Corona. She had I'd stand to disagree written all over her sandy-coloured black-tipped face.

       "Queen Scarlet took care of me." Peril continued. "She found me the black rocks I needed and gave me a purpose and a place to live."

       "Black rocks? What black rocks?" Kestrel broke in.

       "Hey! Stop!" A pair of SkyWing guards shouted from the tunnel.

       Glow shook her head vigorously. "Agh! Nevermind all that! Where's One-Eye?" She asked Kestrel.

       She pointed down the tunnel. "Down the hall to the left – if you can get past the guards, that is."

       Glow and Corona dropped down and entered. "Good. We need to free him, too." She responded.

       Charcoal and Flashover landed on the grate behind them. "We'll stand guard here and make sure no one comes through if there is anyone." Flashover reassured.

       Charcoal nodded, but lifted her talon nervously. "And please...do rescue my father. He doesn't deserve to die like this." She added desperately.

       Glow nodded towards her and turned to face the guards. They charged out and Tsunami had a bolt of fire shot at her from one of the guards. Clay quickly guarded her and the heat blasted him all over. After that, his scales simply glowed red and faded, much to the guard's surprise.

       Tsunami lunged at the other guard, slashing his side and slamming her tail into his head. He staggered backwards into Glow and threw himself back at Tsunami, beating him with her wings. Glow threw herself onto him in response, gripping him tightly by the horns, wrangling him like a wild bull.

       Clay's guard attacked him at the same time. They grappled, and she raked the wounds already on his back. Corona flew in just as he heaved her off, and hooked her tail towards the guard defensively, hissing at her. Corona feigned a tail lash at the guard and she leaped backwards in recoil, smashing the bars of Kestrel's cell. They snapped off and Kestrel emerged and roared, huge and fierce.

       The chains clearly chipped and chafed at her scales and her claws were blunted, as if she were trying to claw her way to freedom. "Kill them and let's go!" she snarled.

       Peril quickly darted at the guard who was fighting Tsunami and Glow. Glow lifted off him and he let go of Tsunami, but it was too late. Before Glow could pull him away and fling him down the tunnel away, Peril's talons struck him and sliced through his neck. Black scorch marks bubbled and ate away at his flesh as he tried to scream. He raked at his throat, but to no avail, he crumpled deceased at Glow's talons.

       Glow noticed out of the corner of her eye that Clay had pushed the soldier he was fighting down the tunnel – away from Peril and from suffering her friend's fate.

       Glow stared at the guard she was fighting. She had him by the horns, and she could have snapped his neck in less than a second. But she wouldn't have. It wouldn't have been a fair fight and all he was doing was fighting for his queen. But had Peril tried to spare him, would he have even allowed them to live, considering that Scarlet was most likely dead now? Or would he have spared them?

       The uncertainty was what made Glow unsure if Peril had done the right thing. In retrospect, it was mostly self-defense. They couldn't be sure if they would've won or if he would have spared them if they tried to spare him. Glow watched Peril kill someone, but this wasn't like before in the arena. Scarlet was making her before – she didn't have a choice. But this was different. This was defense.

        Killing the guard might have been the only way to win, but Glow wasn't sure whether Peril was in the right or wrong for killing him, or whether it was justified to begin with. But Kestrel gave an order, and it makes sense. If they're dead, they can't stop us. But was it the right thing to do? Perhaps Kestrel wasn't thinking about right or wrong when she gave the order. Most likely, she was just thinking of surviving, like she had done for the dragonets their whole lives. Maybe that's just the way Kestrel's always been – logic and survival over morality and emotion.

       It would make sense.

       She felt uneasy with questioning the morality in this situation. And, considering the lack of time they have, perhaps this wasn't the best time to contemplate this.

       Glow caught Peril's injured expression at Clay letting the guard go. Now she knew exactly how Clay felt about what she had done, and perhaps that was the only way to get to her.

       "Stupid worm. She'll raise the alarm. Queen Scarlet will catch us in moments." Kestrel said behind them.

       "Queen Scarlet is probably dead." Tsunami said sharply. "And don't talk to Clay that way. Just – follow us and stop talking."

       "Wait!" Peril cried. "We still need to save One-Eye!"

       "She's right." Corona agreed. "We'll need him to help us rescue Kite, too."

       Glow winced, thinking of the poor little SkyWing in the talons of his cruel mother at this moment in time. "Pyrrhia only knows what he's going through right now." She said, hanging her head low.

       Corona shuffled closer to Glow and put a wing over her back. "Hey, it'll be okay. We'll rescue him if it's the last thing we do." Glow stared into Corona's eyes uncertainly. "I promise." She reaffirmed, gripping Glow's talons tightly.

       Glow nodded and looked over to Kestrel. "He's down this way. Let's bust him out and get out as fast as possible." She urged, leading the way down.

       It wasn't difficult to find him, as he was peering out of his cell through the bars. He smiled brightly as he saw his salvation pounding down the tunnel. "Well, well, well. The cavalry's finally here! I knew the fabled dragonets of destiny would come save me." He said jokingly. Glow rolled her eyes at him as Peril slunk past her.

       She gripped the bars of his cell tightly, the bars melting as she spread them wide to allow him to slip through. Glow smiled, happy to see him free where he belonged. "Although, I somehow have a feeling Her Majesty won't be so happy about this." He said, glancing at Glow.

       "Yeah, about that." Corona interjected. "Queen Scarlet may or may not be dead." She informed.

       One-Eye merely blinked and nodded. "Good." He said, with barely a hint of any sort of emotional reaction. "I never liked her anyway."

       Kestrel grunted. "All right, we've freed him. Now can we just get out of here? We're wasting time!" She rushed.

       "This way!" Tsunami directed, shooting up the tunnel. Peril and Clay exchanged looks. She reached out to him tentatively and pulled back quickly, looking guilty.

       "Come on." He said, forcing understanding into his voice. Glow felt bad. Clay had a perfectly good reason not to trust or understand Peril, but Peril didn't really have a choice or know any better.

       Soon they reached the grate where they entered. Tsunami lifted into the sky first, followed by and One-Eye, greeted tearfully by his daughter and relieved by Flashover. The other followed closely behind them, copper, brown, red, and other colours glowing brightly in the sun as they soared away.

       They banked sharply toward the waterfall. The cliff side flew past them as they dove towards the base of the waterfall. Tsunami flew closer to the bellowing water and the spray from it felt refreshing and cool on Glow's tired scales.

       The sounds of the palace soon faded away, replaced by the roar of the waterfall. A feeling of relief soon washed over Glow, the waterfall somehow instilling the calm of tranquility in her and washing away her worries, if only temporarily. She could see why they were Whitecap's favourite thing to draw.

       Near the bottom, Glow spied a clear lake, glittering in the sun, the Diamond Spray River leaking out the side of it. Shrubs and trees dotted the landscape along the riverside and the lakeside. Tsunami banked towards a dark nook near the base as Glow saw with a skip of her heart that Sunny's head was peeking out.

       They all landed at the base of the lake, trees thickly keeping the cave hidden. As Peril landed, the grass around her talons shriveled and died, turning quickly to ash. She noticed and curled herself in to make the imprint as small as she could.

       "Kestrel!" Sunny cried as Evenstar and Frigga poked their heads out. Frigga's ice blue eyes were relieved to see them all back in one piece. "You're all right!"

       "No thanks to you five." Kestrel growled, lashing her tail angrily. "You wanted so badly to be free. Now do you see why we had to protect you?" One of her wings snagged a tree by accident, and she wrestled it free in frustration.

       "You're welcome. We could have left you in the Sky Kingdom. I would have." Tsunami snapped back.

       Evenstar glared at her. "I agree. Perhaps you should be grateful that the dragonets came back for you at all." Evenstar said, bitterness edging his quiet voice. "You didn't deserve that kindness." He added venomously.

       Glow whipped her head around at him, and even Corona seemed to be surprised. Evenstar was usually calm and collected, didn't show much emotion, and any that he did, were usually subtle and quiet. In fact, that kind of comment was the kind that Glow expected Corona to make. Then she remembered the situation that Kite was currently in, and realized why. He misses Kite. He must have been worried sick since Cinnabar took him.

       Kestrel looked at him curiously (must have been the fact that he was a NightWing), but ignored him as Clay started squelching the mud between his claws and rolling around in it. "Good grief, Clay, yuck." Glory said as she stepped out into the sun and letting it catch her wings.

       Glow and Corona giggled a little bit at Clay. "Aww, he missed the mud." Glow teased as Corona continued snickering.

       "That's actually kind of adorable" Corona added lightheartedly.

       Glow peered into the cave and noticed two earthy-coloured SkyWing heads poke out. One-Eye, Charcoal, and Flashover ran over and hugged them. "Combustion! Ore! You have no idea how good it is to see you!" Flashover exclaimed.

       "It's really good to see you too, you knucklehead." Ore teased him. Combustion reached his arms for his mate and pulled her in tightly. One-Eye smiled at them, relieved to see them all reunited.

       Combustion turned towards the dragonets of destiny and bowed his head towards them in respect. "Now that all the dragonets of destiny are together, I can finally say that it's truly an honour to meet the lot of you." He said.

       "Even if it's at a kind of inconvenient time." Ore added jokingly. The other bowed their heads at them, Glory ignoring them.

       Tsunami reached to pull her back. "Careful. If they're looking for us, they'll definitely spot a bright purple dragon from the air." She quipped.

       Glory flared her ruff at the SeaWing. "I am not bright purple. Queen Scarlet called this my violet mood, thank you very much."

       "Oh, sorry." Tsunami said. "I meant to say they'll definitely spot a moody violet dragon from the air."

       "You are the epitome of hilarious." Glory said sarcastically. "Anyway, I can take care of that." The scales on her wings and body started to break apart, like when Whitecap was mixing water with paint, and started to blend in with the muddy ground underneath them. "Happy?" She said to Tsunami.

       "I want to know what my cool power is." Tsunami grumbled. "You've got camouflage scales and venom-spitting teeth. Clay is immune to fire. Starflight apparently has big dragons waiting in the sky to save him whenever things get scary. What do I get?"

       "Call me crazy, but those things don't exactly sound like powers as much as biological bodily functions and weird coincidences." Corona retorted. Tsunami stuck her tongue out at her while Corona simply grinned smugly.

       "Clay is immune to fire?" Sunny asked. "What? And did you say venom-spitting teeth?"

       "Yeah," Clay answered. "I'm afraid you'll have to be nicer to Glory from now on, Sunny."

       The little golden dragon flapped her wings wildly in outrage, the adorable display making Glow heart flutter even more wildly. "I'm always nice to – oh, you're teasing me." She said as she choked with her light and joyful laughter. She took a talonful of mud and smushed it into his face. Glow couldn't help but giggle at the happy sight playing before her.

       Before both her and Clay caught Peril wearing a rather sad expression.

       "See, we can take care of ourselves." Tsunami said to Kestrel. "You didn't even know what Clay and Glory could do. You didn't think we were good for anything, but it was your own fault for keeping us underground and treating us like eggs."

       "Oh, we did everything wrong. Go ahead and blame us, but we did as the Talons of Peace asked. You would probably all be dead if we hadn't." Kestrel said scathingly.

       "Perhaps you should stop blaming your charges for how badly you did your job." Frigga stepped outside the cave and glared at the large guardian SkyWing. "Even though you were simply ordered to keep the dragonets of destiny alive, they were still your responsibility." Frigga growled coldly. "Disgraceful. My brother would have been ashamed to have had to raise these bright dragonets alongside the likes of you." Kestrel merely glanced at the IceWing scornfully. Glow knew fully well that she didn't appreciate being lectured on how to do her job.

       "We're not going back to the Talons of Peace." Tsunami said, lifting her chin.

       "We're not?" Sunny squeaked. Glory gave her a stinging look of scorn, and Glow wilted. Well, that was kind of unnecessary, wasn't it?

       "Oh?" Kestrel said, bending her head to avoid the branches. She gave Tsunami a sharp yellow glare. "What is your magnificent plan, if I may ask?"

       "We're going to find our homes. And our parents." Tsunami said. "We're going to see this war firsthand, instead of reading about it in scrolls. And then we'll figure out for ourselves if we're going to do anything about it."

       "But, Tsunami. The prophecy! We have to!" Sunny whispered, tugging on her wing. Glow felt sorry for the little SandWing. She just wants this all to end so badly. She looked over at Frigga, whose eyes were still dull and glassy despite the escape they had just made.

       "Shh." Clay said, pulling Sunny back.

       There was a wrathful look on Kestrel's face during the pause between her and Tsunami. Smoke was puffing out of the large SkyWing's nose and the whole company seemed to be holding their breath for what was about to happen. Glow looked over at the others and noticed that Peril's eyes were fixed on her mother.

       "Fine." Kestrel finally said rather unexpectedly. "What do I care? I'm done with you. I've done everything that was asked of me, and all I have to show for it is a pack of ungrateful lizards. Go find your precious families. I don't care what happens to you."

       "Oh, Kestrel." Sunny said, climbing over and hugging Kestrel's leg. "You don't mean that. You know we appreciate everything you did for us." Glow couldn't stop the rapid beating of her heart. She cares so much. Even after how horrible Kestrel's treated them, she still sees good in her. Glow remembered the conclusion she came to after spending a night in her cell, and felt faint. She felt how much she adored the small golden SandWing and smiled. Maybe I can learn something from her.

       "You're on your own now." Kestrel said, prying Sunny off of her. She stepped towards the lake. "And good riddance. Peril, are you coming?"

       Peril hesitated and Glow was shocked. Well THAT was sudden!

       "I thought you were coming with us." Clay said. Peril's eyes brightened and Glow realized that Clay was offering Peril a second chance. Maybe there's hope for them after all. She wished.

       "Over my charred, dead body." Tsunami growled, whacking Clay with her wing. Glow threw her a withering glare.

       "Why not?" Glory said, her eyes on a fluttering butterfly. At least Glory's being more sensible. "Maybe Peril's the missing dragonet you all need for the prophecy...your 'wings of sky.'"

       Clay blinked at her. "Wow. Do you think so?" Glow shifted uncomfortably. Was Kestrel going to tell them? Was this the right time to tell the others her secret? She noticed the little flames of scarlet creeping across Glory's ears as she shrugged. Maybe not.

       "Oh, could I be?" Peril breathed.

       "No." Kestrel said firmly.

       "'The largest egg in mountain high,'" Glory quoted exactly. "If you hatched with a twin, your egg must have been huge." Glory remained focus on the butterfly rather than the other dragonets.

       "That's true! Maybe I'm part of your destiny!" Peril said, looking at Clay hopefully.

       "Not a chance. Peril and her brother hatched over a year before you misbegotten worms. The prophecy speaks of five dragonets hatching together on the brightest night. Besides," Kestrel said, looking over at Glow. Glow shook her head subtly, trying to get the point across to her, but so that the other dragonets won't notice. Not yet. Kestrel nodded and looked back over at Glory. "You've got Glory now, so it doesn't really matter anyway." She finished begrudgingly.

       Glory looked over in surprise, as if it was the first time that Kestrel acknowledged her without a trace of scorn in her voice. "Um, thanks? I guess?" She said confused. She clearly didn't know how to react to that comment and just went back to watching the butterfly.

       Clay looked down at his talons, looking disappointed. "Sorry." He said to Peril. Her wings visibly slumped. "You can come with us anyway." He offered.

       "I can't." She said. "I have to go back for the black rocks."

       "Tell me about these black rocks." Kestrel said.

       "You must know." Peril responded. "I need to eat them every day in order to live."

       Kestrel lashed her tail, accidentally uprooting one of the nearby bushes. "More of Scarlet's lies. You don't need anything like that." She spat.

       "But – I stopped taking them and got sick." Peril rejected.

       "Poison in your food." Kestrel said with certainty. "One of Scarlet's favourite tricks."

       Glow dug her talons into the ground. Of course. Nothing is too evil for Scarlet to pull. Peril glanced up over to the palace, smoke billowing from her bright copper scales. Her talons dug into and gripped the ground tightly.

       "Come with me." Kestrel said suddenly. "I'm not much, but I'm better than Scarlet." She reached for Peril, but at the sight of her burned palms, pulled back suddenly. Peril ducked her head and huddled into her wings.

       "Where are you going, Kestrel?" Sunny asked.

       "None of your business." Kestrel answered. Sunny sat back looking hurt, and Glow threw the rust-coloured SkyWing a death glare. I will end you. Kestrel stepped towards the lake, sharpening her talons on a rock. She glanced backwards towards Sunny. "But I suppose, when you realize you need me," she began. "You can send me a message through the dragon of Jade Mountain. Not that I'll come running, mind you. You deserve all the trouble that's coming to you."

       "Before you go," Tsunami interrupted. "Tell us what you know about our eggs and where they came from."

       Kestrel grunted. "Well, there's no surprises with you. Webs stole your egg from the SeaWing queen's own hatchery."

       "Tsunami!" Sunny gasped. "You're royalty! Just like in the story!" Tsunami twitched her thick, muscular cobalt tail, looking thoughtful and surprised.

       Glow realized what exactly Kestrel said and began brimming with excitement. "Wait, that means that Tsunami is Whitecap's sister!" She exclaimed, clutching her head.

       Corona playfully shoved Glow to the side. "Wait 'till he hears that the legendary SeaWing dragonet of destiny is his royal sister. He's going to freak out when we tell him!" She said. Tsunami looked over, her green eyes alit with curiosity.

       "Morrowseer brought us Starflight's egg." Kestrel said.

       Frigga wilted. "I suppose he wanted it back, then." She said bitterly.

       Glow slid her tongue where her missing teeth used to be, remembering her battle with him earlier that day. "Well, I hope Starflight's happy. I almost broke my jaw fighting Morrowseer for him." She said frustrated.

       Kestrel looked over at her shocked. "You fought Morrowseer, and lived!?" She asked surprised.

       Corona lifted her talon. "Well, I mean, I did too. Not that that's important or anything. We also fought a bunch of other NightWings too and lived, but that's beside the point."

       "I also fought Burn and lived." Glow added. Kestrel looked genuinely impressed.

       "Well, she almost killed you. Scarlet saved your sorry hide from getting ripped to shreds by her." Corona corrected.

       "Not the point." Glow retorted. "The point is, I'm pretty hard to kill." Glow finished.

       Kestrel shook her head. "You really are something else, SkyWing." Kestrel said. Somehow being praised by such a harsh dragon genuinely made Glow feel prouder than she probably should. "Anyways, Dune found Sunny's egg in the desert, hidden near the Scorpion Den." She continued.

       "Probably better that you didn't have to grow up in it." Corona said to the golden dragon. "It's a pretty tough place, full of crime and poverty."

       "And our big, strong hero came from somewhere around the Diamond Spray Delta, near the sea, where the lowest born MudWings crawl." Kestrel finished.

       Glow felt a little uncomfortable with the language she used to describe the MudWings. Then again, maybe that was just the way Kestrel talked about everyone.

       "What about me?" Glory asked.

       Kestrel shrugged. "I have no idea. Webs scrounged you up somewhere after we lost the SkyWing egg. I never cared where, because I knew you weren't important."

       "Oh, go away! Everything you say is hurtful and mean!" Tsunami burst out.

       "Everything I say is true." Kestrel countered.

       Evenstar shouldered past Frigga, Glow, and Corona to face Kestrel. Glow knew he was small, but he practically looked like a mouse compared to the size of Kestrel. "Glory may not be your SkyWing of the prophecy, but she's an important, integral, and irreplaceable part of their unit." He stated clearly, confidence in his small voice. "They need her. They can't function without each other. If one of them is missing, they'll eventually fall apart. They need each other, whether you like it or not." He glanced over at Glory, who was still facing away from them. "And she needs them, too. Even though she doesn't want to admit it."

       Glory turned around at him, red and orange swirling around her face and neck. "How would you know that? We barely even know each other."

       Evenstar shrugged. "I live with Corona. It's not that hard to figure out." He answered. Corona looked genuinely offended, but Glow just marveled his wisdom and courage in facing Kestrel and calling Glory out. Ouch. He didn't hold back.

       "Or maybe you have mindreading powers, like the rest of your tribe." Glory scowled, curling her tail inward.

       Evenstar laughed a light and quiet laugh. "No, unfortunately, I was born without powers much like Starflight. Although being able to read minds would be quite useful, now wouldn't it." He answered brightly, his vibrant eyes twinkling in the sunlight.

       Peril turned back to address Kestrel. Her blue eyes were thoughtful and contemplative. She had a choice to make, and she needed to properly think it through. "I don't think you'd be good for me." She finally said. "I never imagined you like this."

       Kestrel hunched her shoulders inward. "I am the way life has made me. Take it or leave it, because I'm going now, and you can come with me or not." She said as she spread open her wings.

       "Remember," Clay said to Peril. "She tried to save you. She's not the kindest dragon, it's true, but look. She cared enough about you to do this." He took one of Kestrel's talons and opened it so that Peril could see the burns in her palm. Kestrel wrenched her claw away from him and snapped her jaws at him.

       Peril shook her head. "I'm not ready." She said, looking at Kestrel carefully. "Maybe one day we'll find each other again."

       Kestrel was unintentionally churning up the ground with her lashing tail. "Well. Suit yourself." Her scornful eyes shifted balefully towards each dragonet and landed on Clay. "Listen, MudWing. For all your noble talk, you're not going to be any use to the others if you can't fight and kill to defend them. Just think about that." Sunny nudged Clay thoughtfully.

       Corona padded up to him and nudged him as well. "I'd hate to say it, but she's right." She said sympathetically. "You're not always going to find a solution that will be ethically pleasing or peaceful. Someday, probably sometime soon, you'll have to kill someone to protect your friends – whether you want to or not. Because sometimes," she paused, looking down at her talons. "You just have to do what you have to do in order to survive. Sometimes it's either your life or theirs. Sometimes," She paused again, making eye contact with the big hopeful MudWing. "It's kill or be killed."

       Clay nodded in understanding, his eyes looking disappointed, and put a wing around the small SandWing. "Thanks, Corona." He said plainly. She responded by awkwardly patting his wounded back.

       Kestrel was walking away to lift off. Glow quickly rushed to catch up with her before she flew away. "Kestrel, wait!" She cried. She stopped and looked down at her, seemingly uninterested.

       "What do you want?" She said impatiently.

       Glow stood tall and proud, her wings spread out. "Thanks for not blowing my cover." She said.

       Kestrel's eyes were thoughtful, yet decisive. "Just make sure they don't get themselves killed." She said.

       Glow scoffed at her. "And you say that you don't care what happens to them." She said, jokingly, lightly punching Kestrel's shoulder. Her snout twisted in disgust. Kestrel shot into the sky, banked towards the lake, and flew west without looking back. Well, see you, I guess.

       Glow went back to join the others, Tsunami's indignant eyes scanning her. "What were you talking about?" She asked, suspicious.

       Glow shrugged. "Just saying goodbye." She answered plainly. She looked over at Peril , who was staring at the smoldering ground beneath her.

       "Some reunion." Peril said quietly.

       Clay drew up beside her and met her eyes. "You can still come with us." He offered. "Even if you're not in the prophecy."

       "No. I don't think...I don't think I deserve to." She said slowly.

       He tilted his head towards her in confusion. "What does that mean?"

       "It's like you said," she said. "You're the kinds of dragonets they write prophecies about. You're the heroes and saviors and I'm – well, I'm the opposite of that. I'm the bad guy."

       "I'm not a hero." Clay said. "You're the one that got us out of the Sky Kingdom."

       "Only because of you." She shook her head. "I thought I was born a killer, but it turns out I wasn't. Queen Scarlet made me that way...or I let myself become that way. It's like I chose it without knowing I chose it. But you were born that way." Clay winced and Glow noticed the other dragonets staring at him. "You knew what you were like, and you chose to be something else. I guess I feel like I can't be one of you unless I can do that, too."

       Glow stepped forward. "Well, do you think that Scarlet would have let you choose to be something else?" Her worried amber eyes locked with Peril's unsure blue eyes. "Do you honestly think she would have let you have any free will?"

       Peril shifted her gaze downward, thinking carefully. "No." She finally answered. "I don't think she would have."

       "Exactly." Glow affirmed. Peril's eyes were forlorn, her gaze shaken. The large red SkyWing reached out to reassure her before feeling her heat and remembering not to touch her. Fireproof scales would be pretty helpful right now. "You know, Peril," She began, the copper SkyWing lifting her head to meet her friend's gaze. "The offer still stands for you to come live with us." Peril's eyes lit up with hope. "You could be a member of the White Capes, and use your fire talons for good. You could use them to create and heal, instead of killing and destroying. And I know you can do it." She pointed to her torn ear. "I'm living proof of that."

       Peril looked down at her own talons, as if she still didn't quite believe that was her doing at all. Frigga strode up to the small copper dragon, with Evenstar in tow, smiling at her. "We would be delighted to take you in and teach you the ways of the forge." Frigga offered.

       "And I can show you the scroll I saw that showed me that you can cauterize a wound. There is probably other useful information on the subject of applying heat to good use in everyday life. I'd be willing to show you." Evenstar added. Glow saw longing in her expression. She saw someone who wanted to be something more than what she was told. She saw a dragon who just wanted a family to care about her.

       But, she also saw a dragon who just wanted to be able to be allowed to make her own choices. This was her chance to do just that. "But, whatever you're comfortable doing, I'm happy with. You're free to do whatever you like, so long as it's your decision." Glow was fighting the urge to take Peril's talons in hers. "Never take it for granted."

       She blinked her fiery-blue eyes as she looked around – first at Glow, then at her friends behind her, then at Clay and his friends. "I," She started, looking Glow intensely. "I'm going back to the Sky Kingdom. That's where I belong, and I need to know if Queen Scarlet is still alive."

       "Don't you want to leave?" Clay asked. "Don't you want to see the world outside the Sky Kingdom?"

       Peril awkwardly stirred the ash under her feet. "Not until I feel the world is safe from me."

       Glow was disappointed that she didn't take their offer, somehow unsurprised, yet she was also happy that Peril made the choice on her own accord. She dipped her head towards her and smiled. "If that's what you want to do, then I'm happy for you."

       "Can we speed up the touching goodbye? Tsunami asked. "Because we've got company." She nodded dreadfully to the top of the cliff.

       Glow looked up in that direction and spied two groups – one of red and gold, and the other of pale yellow. She snarled in recognition when she recognized one giant pale shape hovering over both groups. Burn. Out for revenge, I see. After a moment, the dragons split apart and started fanning out in every direction.

       It would seem that the hunt for the escaped dragonets had begun.

       "What do we do?" Sunny asked worriedly in a hushed whisper.

       "We should get to the delta. We can find Clay's family there." Tsunami said. "Maybe they'll help protect us."

       "And then we'll be at the sea, so we can find yours." Sunny said hopefully. "And maybe Starflight will find us there? Do you think he's looking for us?"

       "Doubtful." said Glory. Sunny's happy expression fell instantly. "He's with his wonderful NightWings now."

       "I'd hate to shame any race of dragons, but I'm afraid she's right." Evenstar said. "They apparently have far more important things to worry about than the fate of the saviors of Pyrrhia. Which, by the way, seem to both include and limit to themselves and their own problems."

       "And I hate to point this out," Glory continued, "but there are about two hundred dragons overhead who actually are looking for us. The minute we stroll out from these trees, they'll be on us like fur on a squirrel."

       Corona's black eyes were squinting towards the horizon. "Actually, I don't think we'll have to worry about that." She began, pointing in the direction of two shapes flying directly towards them. "Because I think we're about to be found out."

       Glow prepared to attack when Frigga shouldered herself harshly in front of her three present apprentices. "Go inside the cave." The IceWing ordered.

       Glow looked at her in shock. "What? You can't expect me to just go inside and do no –"

       "I failed to protect my apprentices once. I refuse to fail again!" She snarled as her icy blue eyes bored into Glow's heart and soul. "Now go inside the cave with the others." She ordered again.

       Glow gulped and nodded. Frigga wasn't usually this serious, but considering what she had gone through this whole week, it was more than justified. She, Corona, and Evenstar ushered themselves into the cave as One-Eye and their SkyWing friends poured out.

       "You dragonets of destiny better get inside, too." One-Eye ordered Clay and his friends.

       Sunny looked appalled. "What?" She cried. "But we can't just let you all get hurt for our sakes!"

       "Besides," Tsunami argued. "We can fight for ourselves!"

       One-Eye faced them both. "Listen to me, all of you." He began. "I didn't become General of the Army by being indecisive. It's my duty as a general to protect my kingdom, but I also have a personal duty to protect Pyrrhia. And if that means protecting you dragonets with my life, then so be it." He leaned down, his one hazel eye glaring at the defiantly. "Now get inside the cave and let us handle this, that's an order!"

       Clay pulled Glory closer and nudged Tsunami. "He's not like the other SkyWings. He's actually trying to help us." He whispered. "We should listen to him."

       Tsunami sighed and motioned with her tail for the others to follow. "All right." She said.

       Peril stood there awkwardly, looking left and right. "What should I do?" She asked, unsure.

       Combustion answered her. "Go join the others inside. You can protect them if you need to."

       They poured into the cave with Glow and her friends and anxiously peered outside. Glory slunk into the back of the cave and camouflaged into the shadows with Evenstar.

       "Hey." The cave wall said flatly.

       "Hello." The shadow responded. "Lovely weather we're having, isn't it?"

       "Oh yeah, I'm really liking the whole 'sunny with a chance of angry soldiers' vibe to it." The wall replied.

       Peril leaned into Clay's side, coiling herself in the cramped space to avoid accidentally burning either Corona, Glow, or Tsunami. She was right at the entrance on the opposite side of Tsunami. Sunny shifted closer to Clay uncomfortably.

       "Do you think they'll be all right?" Sunny asked concerned.

       "It's six dragons against two." Corona answered, coiling her covered tail. "They'll be fine."

       Tsunami was right at the entrance, peering outside grimacing. "I don't like this." She said. "I still think we should be out there helping them."

       "Me neither." Glow agreed. "I hate sitting by and doing nothing."

       "Well, you heard him, didn't you?" Clay said, shrugging. "He told us to go inside, and that's what we're doing. He's a general, I'm sure he knows what he's doing."

       "I know." Glow reassured. "I just want to make sure they're okay."

       Glow crawled up to the entrance, Corona following close behind. She saw One-Eye in front of the others. Combustion was shielding Charcoal behind him at the back while Flashover and Ore were in front of him.

        Frigga was much farther ahead, dealing with the two SkyWings. The SkyWings protecting Glow and her friends were out of sight, waiting for something. Possibly for the situation to resolve, or perhaps an opportunity to attack – Glow wasn't certain. The two SkyWings addressing them didn't seem to be hostile.

       "Are you sure these are the ones?" one of them asked. His red-orange scales were slightly washed out. His horns were black, yet his spines were white. His eyes were a familiar shade of light brown. Yet, his most interesting feature was his wings. They were black, but a half-circle of white stained the inside of the membrane between each of his fingers along the top.

       "I don't know where the others went, but this is the IceWing that was with them." The other answered. A female, Glow observed. She was deep red, her eyes a bright shade of amber. She was slightly larger than the male. More muscular.

       Frigga reeled up in aggression. "Don't you dare come near my apprentices! They have suffered enough. I've lost one today, and I refuse to lose another." She snarled, her cold breath visible in the warm air.

       The male SkyWing waved his talons in reluctance. "Please, we don't want any trouble! I don't mean to hurt you. I'm just looking for someone I've lost." He said desperately.

       Charcoal and Combustion were exchanging glances at each other, then with the others in their huddle. They looked confused, as if they recognize him, but they weren't certain from where.

       The female SkyWing stepped forward, to which Frigga hissed even louder. "Please, he's telling the truth. You might be the only one who can help him." She pleaded.

       "Lies!" Frigga cried. "All lies! I won't lose another today!" She hissed as a crackling sound could be heard. Glow was tensing. She had never seen Frigga this angry before, and by the looks of it, she was about to murder two potentially innocent dragons. Three moons, she's going to kill them! She flinched and looked away, not wanting to see her master freeze them to death.

       "STOP! PLEASE WAIT!" She heard Charcoal cry. Glow opened her eyes again and looked out. She saw all the SkyWings blocking Frigga from the two SkyWings in front of them. Charcoal was the closest to them, taking tentative steps towards them. One-Eye looked shocked, appalled, and the others seemed to be rooted to the very ground, like tree roots.

       Frigga seemed to have calmed only slightly, still glaring at the two strangers from behind the other SkyWings' wings. Charcoal tentatively reached out with her talon, as if she didn't believe what she was seeing was real.

       Her voice was quiet, but audible enough for Glow to catch. "It can't be...is it?" Her voice was cracking with emotion and disbelief. "Is it really you...?"

       The male SkyWing's jaw was hanging open, his eyes watering. "Charcoal? Is that really you?" He asked.

       Charcoal's delicate face cracked into a smile, and she suddenly pulled him into a hug, her wings and arms wrapping tightly around him. As soon as she started wailing, the other joined as well. One-Eye draped his wings surrounding all of them, the female stranger standing off to the side, smiling for her friend. Frigga was sitting up, relaxed, but still looking at the female with distrust.

       One-Eye turned towards the dragonets in the cave. "You can come out now. It's safe." He called.

       Glow and Corona emerged from the cave first. Tsunami and Sunny followed next. Clay and Peril slid out, and then Evenstar and Glory last. The female SkyWing's eyes lit up in recognition. "Those are the ones! I told you I would find them."

       The male pried himself from his joyful reunion. "Those ones? Are you sure?" He asked, unsure if he could believe it.

       "Yes, with absolute certainty, those are the ones." She answered.

       Glow, Corona, and Evenstar tucked in beside Frigga while the other dragonets stayed hidden behind them. The female SkyWing dipped her head to them all. "I'm so sorry for all the trouble. My name is Avalanche, and my friend here has been looking for you for a long time." She answered.

       The male SkyWing scratched his ear nervously. "Well, not you specifically." He said. "Well, you see, I'm looking for my son. I've thought he was dead for over a year, until my friend Avalanche told me she saw him here, in the Sky Kingdom. At first I didn't believe her, but she told me she could prove it. She told me that he was traveling with you."

       Charcoal, and the other SkyWings looked uncomfortable, as if there was something they had to tell him, but didn't want to. Frigga dipped her head towards him respectfully. "I'm sorry for my outburst a moment ago. You would not believe the emotional difficulty our week's visit here has been for me." Frigga explained.

       The male flapped his wings in reassurance. "Oh no, it's alright. You were just trying to protect your...um, apprentices, you called them?" He pried.

       Glow stepped forward. "That would be the three of us." She answered, gesturing to Evenstar and Corona.

       The male SkyWing gasped. "A NightWing? Isn't that curious. Didn't expect an IceWing to willingly decide to raise one." He remarked.

       Frigga merely blinked at him. "My father taught my siblings and I to have respect towards all dragons, regardless of tribe, age, gender, or otherwise, unless given an adequate reason not to." She answered.

       The male SkyWing laughed nervously. "Right, of course." He said sheepishly.

       Avalanche nudged him encouragingly. "I think you should introduce yourself, so that they know what you're talking about." She suggested.

       "That would be wise." Evenstar added.

       The SkyWing shrugged. "Okay, well. My name is Condor. You see, Charcoal's my sister and Flint's my father." He explained.

       Corona flicked an ear at him in confusion. "Flint?" She asked.

       One-Eye raised his talon. "That's my real name. One-Eye's just a nickname that I got from my crew that just kind o' grew on me." He explained.

       Something suddenly clicked in Glow's mind when she heard Condor's name. "Wait, that means you're Kite's father!" She exclaimed.

       Condor's bright hazel eyes lit up in hopeful recognition. "Yes! That's right! Kite's my son!" He cried joyfully. "Where is he? Is he alright? Did he miss me? Was he worried?" He began questioning excitedly.

       Glow flapped her wings rapidly to calm Condor down. "Kite can answer those questions for you. As soon as we rescue him." She answered.

       Condor's face fell quickly. "What do you mean 'rescue?'" He asked. "Is he alright? Is he hurt?"

       "I don't know." Glow admitted guiltily. Condor looked crestfallen. I need to tell him. Maybe he can help us get Kite back. "I'm afraid I don't know how to tell you this, but," she paused, glancing over at the other SkyWings, who were seemingly holding their breaths. "I'm afraid Kite's been kidnapped."

       "By whom?!" Condor asked urgently.

       "By your former wife, Cinnabar." Glow answered.