As they emerged from the tunnel into the lush embrace of the rainforest, the damp, sweet scent of blooming flowers and fresh rain filled Icemoon's lungs. The towering canopy above swayed lazily, filtering the warm sunlight into scattered golden rays that danced across the forest floor.

Waiting for them in the main clearing were Glory, Clay, Tsunami, and Sunny. The moment Glory spotted them, her scales flashed with brilliant hues of bright green and soft gold—joy. "You're back!" she called, her tail flicking excitedly.

Icemoon barely had a moment to take in the relieved faces of her friends before she noticed a much smaller RainWing standing beside Glory. The dragonet's scales were a cheerful swirl of bright yellow, pink, and hints of orange, practically glowing in the dappled sunlight.

Curious, Icemoon cocked her head. "Who's this?" she asked, her voice measured but intrigued.

Before Glory could answer, the little dragonet bounded forward, her movements quick and full of boundless energy. "Hi! I'm Kinkajou!" she chirped, her voice bubbling with excitement. "Wow! Are you a hybrid? IceWing and NightWing, right? That's so cool! I thought those two tribes hated each other! But look at you! Your scales are gorgeous!"

Icemoon blinked, momentarily taken aback by the sheer speed of Kinkajou's words. The young RainWing's enthusiasm radiated from her like sunlight, unfiltered and warm.

Starflight let out a soft chuckle beside her. "She does that a lot," he whispered, amusement clear in his voice.

Icemoon, still processing the energetic greeting, flicked her tail and allowed a small smile to creep onto her snout. "Uh... thanks?"

Kinkajou beamed up at her, completely unfazed. "You're welcome! Oh! Do you breathe frostbreath or fire? Or both?! That would be so amazing!"

Icemoon exhaled sharply, resisting the urge to laugh. It seemed this little dragonet was going to be a lot.

SCENEBREAK

That evening, as the rainforest settled into a peaceful hush, Icemoon sat beside the crackling fire in the heart of the village. The flames flickered, casting warm, golden light against the dark greens of the surrounding foliage. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and blooming flowers, the distant hum of insects providing a soft background melody to the night.

Across from her, Glory lounged on a low-hanging branch, her scales shifting between thoughtful shades of green and blue. Clay sat nearby, his large wings tucked against his sides as he gnawed on a piece of roasted fruit, listening intently.

"So," Glory prompted, her sharp RainWing eyes watching Icemoon closely. "How did the patrol go?"

Icemoon flicked her tail, glancing at the fire as it popped and crackled. "It went well... mostly," she admitted. "We got in, freed the prisoners, and made it back without losing anyone."

"That's great!" Clay rumbled enthusiastically, his warm brown eyes shining. "I mean, you all made it back safely, right?"

Icemoon hesitated, her expression darkening slightly. "Yes, but something feels... off. The NightWings didn't react the way I expected. It was too easy. They didn't even chase us. And more RainWings have been disappearing."

Glory's tail twitched, her colors shifting to a muted swirl of gray-green. "That is strange," she murmured. "The NightWings aren't exactly the type to just let us take their prisoners. And if more RainWings are still vanishing..."

Icemoon nodded, her wings rustling as she pulled them tighter against her body. "Something's coming. I can feel it."

Clay nodded, his warm brown eyes flickering with concern. "Yeah, that's true," he agreed, though his tone was weighed down with unease. He let out a deep sigh, then shoved the rest of his roasted fruit into his jaws in one big bite.

"Well," he mumbled around the mouthful, swallowing heavily before continuing, "I'm going to sleep. You two can stay up worrying if you want, but I need my rest." He stretched his wings, letting out a yawn, and stood up, his large talons sinking slightly into the soft rainforest floor.

"See you two later," he added before padding off toward the sleeping dens, his heavy footfalls fading into the night.

Icemoon watched him go, her mind still buzzing with unease. Beside her, Glory remained quiet, her tail flicking absently as her scales continued to swirl with thoughtful colors. The fire crackled between them, its warm glow doing little to chase away the chill creeping into Icemoon's chest.

Glory turned to Icemoon, her scales shifting to a thoughtful blend of deep green and amber. The flickering firelight reflected in her sharp RainWing eyes as she studied Icemoon carefully.

"You really think Deathbringer would be a good asset to us?" she asked, her voice measured but laced with curiosity.

Icemoon flicked her tail, considering her answer. "Yes," she said firmly. "He's skilled, resourceful, and—whether we like it or not—he knows how the NightWings operate. He chose to leave them, Glory. That has to count for something."

Glory hummed, her tail curling around her talons. "Maybe," she admitted, exhaling slowly. "But trusting him is a risk. What if he's still hiding something?"

Icemoon met Glory's gaze with unwavering confidence. "Then I'll find out," she promised. "But I don't think he's our enemy anymore."

For a moment, the only sound between them was the crackling of the fire and the distant calls of nocturnal rainforest creatures. Then Glory sighed, rubbing a talon over her snout.

"Fine," she muttered. "But if he tries anything, it's on you, Icemoon."

Icemoon sighed and nodded, understanding the weight of Glory's words. The trust—or lack thereof—was fragile, and she knew that any mistake Deathbringer made would reflect on her as well.

Without another word, the two she-dragons slithered away from the dying fire, their talons barely making a sound against the mossy earth. The rainforest was alive with the hum of insects and the distant croaks of tree frogs, the thick canopy above glittering with pockets of starlight.

As they reached the sleeping dens, Icemoon flicked her tail in silent farewell before slipping into her own nest. The cool night air wrapped around her like a comforting embrace, but sleep did not come easily. Her mind whirled with thoughts of Deathbringer, Starflight, and the ever-growing tension between their tribes.

Tomorrow, she would have to prove that she was right about him. But for now, she allowed her tired wings to fold over her body, listening to the steady rhythm of the rainforest as she drifted into uneasy dreams.