"It's MORNING!" Kinkajou exclaimed with unbridled enthusiasm, her tiny talons digging gently into Moon's tail as she pounced. The lightness of her voice danced through the cavern like a delightful melody, echoing off the stone walls. "Isn't that just WONDRRRFUL?" she sang, her eyes gleaming with the promise of a new day.

In stark contrast, Black Moon let out an irritated hiss, her wings flaring over her face to shield her from the early light. "It is the absolute opposite of wonderful," she grumbled, her voice a low, sleepy growl. "I despise waking up every morning, and now I'm denied the luxury of sleeping the day away."

Carnelian, from her vantage point on the ledge, offered a sympathetic hum. "I concur," she murmured, her emerald eyes peeking out from beneath her wings. She then stood with a graceful unfolding of her limbs, her scales whispering against the rock as she glided out of the cave.

Kinkajou's smile grew wider, revealing her sharp, pointed teeth. "But now I know it's you," she chirped, her voice bubbling with excitement. "There's nothing to worry about! You're not like those terrible NightWings who go around kidnapping and experimenting on dragons, right?" She peered up at Black Moon, her expression hopeful. "I'm really looking forward to getting to know you and learning about your tribe. Have we got any scrolls about your kind in the library here?" Her scales shimmered with curiosity, the myriad colors of a rainbow playing across them as they shifted.

Black Moon rose to her feet, her movements deliberate and slow, with Moon following closely behind. "I have been the last of my tribe for as long as I can remember," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "But I am here now, and that's what matters."

"Why's that?" Kinkajou's curiosity was unabated as they exited the cave, her questions firing like a barrage of arrows.

The cave they sought was bathed in the soft glow of the early morning light, casting a warm embrace over the rocky floor. The scent of dew-kissed leaves and the distant sound of a stream wove through the air. Tsunami, with scales the color of the ocean at dawn, sat perched on the ledge, her tail flicking impatiently.

As they approached, Tsunami's tail swished, sending a shower of leaves fluttering out of the cave and into the mountainside. "Finally!" she exclaimed. "I knew you two wouldn't be able to resist sticking together. It's like you're joined at the hip, or the wing, or something." She winked at them, her blue eyes twinkling with mirth. "Since you're such a pair, I might as well put you in the same winglet. It's not the rule, but who cares about rules?"

Black Moon nodded solemnly. "I understand, and I appreciate your consideration."

The moment Winter and Qibli entered, the air grew thick with anticipation. The two siblings' thoughts intertwined, a silent conversation of suspicion and curiosity. Winter's icy gaze swept over them, and he felt a strange tug in his chest. It's her, he thought. Now she can watch over Moon, and she won't be alone.

Qibli observed Moon's protective stance and Black Moon's expression. She looks so fierce, he mused, yet so protective. It's almost... endearing. If I could just find a way to earn her trust and show her I'm on her side, maybe she'd let me in.

Moon was a picture of anxiety, her body pressed against Black Moon's side. Her eyes darted between Winter and Qibli, searching for a hint of malice. Yet she saw none, only the unspoken promise of protection from her sister.

Tsunami clapped her wings together, the sound echoing through the cave. "Alright, gather around. Since Sunny is so insistent on us playing nice, we're going to start with an icebreaker. Go around, say your name, and tell us a little something about yourself. I'll go first. I'm Tsunami, the illustrious Head of School. I was supposed to be in charge of recruitment, but apparently, I suck at it." She rolled her eyes, her tail lashing the air. "So they gave me this gig instead. It's like watching over a bunch of squirrels."

Carnelian leaned forward, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Are we stuck with this group?" she questioned, her tone hinting at a longing for more familiar company.

"Well, it's not quite that," Tsunami replied, her smile not reaching her eyes. "But yes, for now."

"What if we want to be with other IceWings?" Winter's voice was cool as the Arctic breeze.

Tsunami's smile grew. "The winglets are designed to be diverse. You'll see your sister in the larger classes, and you'll make plenty of new friends too."

Kinkajou's tail thumped the floor. "I love our winglet!" she exclaimed.

Umber spoke up, his voice a low rumble. "When do we eat?" His question was playful, but the hope in his eyes was unmistakable. "Just kidding, I know you're all dying to know what I'm about. I'm Clay's number one fan, obviously." He shot a quick look at Qibli, his expression a blend of hope and uncertainty. Did he find that funny? Did I pull it off?

Black Moon's eyes searched the cave, taking in every detail. She took a deep breath and began, her voice strong despite her nerves. "I am Black Moon. I hail from the enigmatic Night Fury tribe. Grapes are a delight, and deep blue and deep purple are the colors that speak to my soul."

Tsunami nodded encouragingly. "Your turn, Moon."

Moon's voice was as soft as the first whispers of dawn. "I'm Moonwatcher, but Moon is fine," she murmured. "I'm from the rainforest, where I grew up with Black Moon." She cast a shy glance at her sister, who returned the look with a gentle nudge.

Qibli stepped forward, his golden scales seemingly absorbing the light. "I am Qibli, once of Thorn's Outclaws," he announced. "My ambition is to master all knowledge swiftly and then assist Queen Thorn in her governance of the SandWing Kingdom."

Winter's tail lashed. "I'm sure she's lost without you," she said, her voice thick with sarcasm.

"And I'm certain you're crucial to the operation of your own kingdom," Qibli retorted, his eyes gleaming with a challenge.

Winter's frown deepened, and Qibli felt a twinge of satisfaction. He had struck a nerve, uncovered a vulnerability. You're not as cold as you wish everyone to believe, he thought.

Black Moon remained stoic, watching the exchange. She had picked up on Winter's insecurity, recognizing the signs of self-loathing in a dragon's posture and tone. It's a tale as old as the stars, she mused, a dragon seeking validation from their kin.

The cave grew quiet as the dragonets settled into their makeshift classroom, the rustling of leaves the only sound punctuating the anticipation of what the day would bring. Each of them carried a burden of secrets and expectations, eager to learn and grow, yet cautious of the bonds they were about to form. The journey of discovery had only just begun.

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Winter's words pierced the frigid air of the cave, striking a nerve in Black Moon that made her scales quiver with fury.

"Ah, so it's about NightWing powers you wish to speak," Winter mused, his icy blue eyes gleaming with curiosity.

In an instant, Black Moon's posture transformed from one of relaxation to one of battle-readiness. She shot to her feet, tail lashing in agitation, and fixed the IceWing prince with a glare that could have melted the coldest of glaciers. Her fiery emerald eyes bore into him as she snarled, "That's a low blow, you frosty serpent!"

The tension grew palpable as Tsunami, the Seawing queen, nodded solemnly, acknowledging the tension in the room. She addressed the two black-scaled dragons with a gentle firmness, "I won't compel you, but if there's anything you'd be willing to share regarding your powers, we would greatly appreciate it."

Black Moon's tail thumped against the rocky floor, the vibration echoing through the chamber. "Their powers are as dead as the leaves in the EverWing forest!" she exclaimed, her voice resonating with anger. "Why torment them further?"

"The NightWings have been deceiving us since the dawn of time!" Winter retorted, his voice as sharp as the icicles that clung to the cavern's ceiling. "What makes you think they'd stop now?"

Black Moon's spikes quivered with emotion, her voice strained. "Because Moon is not the same as the rest of her tribe!" she declared, her spines rattling as they split into two, a clear warning sign. "She is not one of the cunning snakes you so readily mistrust!"

Winter took an involuntary step backward, his mind racing with the sudden intensity of the situation.

Kinkajou couldn't help but smirk at the exchange, thinking to herself, That was a brilliant comeback.

Qibli felt a warmth spread through his chest, knowing that Black Moon had defended her sister. He thought, She's always had Moon's back. It's comforting to see.

Winter's mind was a storm of conflicting thoughts, trying to reconcile his father's stern warnings about the deceitful nature of NightWings with the captivating, emerald-eyed dragon before him. He ordered himself to maintain his skepticism, to not be swayed by her allure. Remember, he thought, They're all deceivers. Be strong, be vigilant, strike first. Trust no one, not even a dragon with eyes so pure and intriguing.

Moon, feeling the tension, leaned into Black Moon, whispering her gratitude through their psychic bond.

Tsunami, ever the diplomat, stepped into the fray, her wings unfurling to keep the two adversaries at bay. "Enough!" she bellowed, her voice like the crashing of waves. "No one is going to disfigure each other here!" With a swiftness that belied her size, she leaped from the cave's ledge into the night sky, leaving an empty space where the confrontation had occurred.

Carnelian, the fiery SkyWing, shot a final glare at Black Moon before following Tsunami. "Make no mistake, NightWing, I'll have the truth one way or another!" she called back over her wing. "You can either tell us everything or I'll find it for myself!"

The sound of their departure left the cave eerily silent, the only noise the soft hiss of the flaming torches that illuminated the walls. Moon, Black Moon, Qibli, and Kinkajou remained, the tension in the air as thick as the shadows that danced with the flickering firelight.