Reborn watched her winglet with quiet resignation as they buzzed around, chattering amongst themselves. Almost none of them noticed her presence - save for her two best friends: Breathtaker, a NightWing with queenly poise, and Islemover, a surprisingly elegant MudWing who defied her tribe's typically bulky build.

"Hey, let's join them!" Islemover's wing brushed against Reborn's as she rose eagerly. Beside them, Breathtaker curled her dark brown tail over her front talons with characteristic poise. "Why bother? They despise us anyway," she remarked, adjusting her shoulders to maintain her regal bearing.

With a snort, Reborn stretched her shimmering wings and touched Islemover's shoulder. "We'll go. Breathtaker can stay if she wants." She glanced back at the striking NightWing, who merely shrugged. "Do as you please," Breathtaker replied with a dismissive tail flick that made Reborn grin.

As they approached the gathering of dragons - some airborne in playful dance, others clustered around elevated tables - a handsome SkyWing with unusual black-tinted scales caught their eye. He tilted his head, extending one wing in welcome. "Ladies, what brings you here?"

Before Reborn could speak, Islemover's thorny reply cut through the air: "You know perfectly well why we're here, Strongwing. It's a party, and we have every right to attend."

Strongwing's wing folded back as he nodded to his companions and rose. "Follow me then," he said, his icy tone barely masking an undercurrent of warmth that Reborn detected.

The pavilion he led them to overflowed with delicacies from every tribe. Two royal sea-green SeaWings stood conversing nearby, and Strongwing brushed wings with the larger one. The SeaWing turned with a smile that faltered slightly as his gaze moved past Strongwing.

"Hello, Strongwing," he said before his eyes widened. "Is that... an AllWing with you?"

Reborn offered a friendly smile, her spiked tail swaying gently. "I am indeed. And you are?"

The SeaWing bowed deeply. "Wave, my lady," he responded, nudging his still-staring companion.

"And I'm... Seafoam," the second SeaWing managed, ducking his head nervously. Reborn's own anxiety melted away at his obvious discomfort, replaced by warm amusement.

"Well, this is peculiar," Islemover declared, suddenly pulling Reborn away toward a group of dancing NightWing females.

"Hey!" Islemover called out. The glittering black dragons turned, their scales catching the light. One, adorned in deep purple and black, grinned broadly. "Isle! Is this your friend?"

Islemover draped a wing over Reborn's shoulders. "Yes! Meet Reborn of the AllWings. Reborn, these are my old NightWing friends - Mindreader and Clearsight."

After exchanging bows, Mindreader clasped Reborn's talons enthusiastically. "Wonderful to meet you! Care to join us for drinks? We're exhausted from dancing."

Clearsight flexed her claws with a wince and pop. Reborn chuckled, spreading her wings slightly. "I'd love to - though nothing too strong."

As she sipped her drink later, Reborn thought, I will never forget this night.

And she never did - for it was the night that shaped her destiny, and the night her best friends drew their final breaths.