Icemoon's wings twitched as she stepped into the shadowy mouth of the tunnel, her sharp, glacier-blue eyes scanning the dimly lit passage. The air here was different—thicker, heavier, and tinged with the faint, acrid scent of volcanic fumes. It prickled at her senses, a reminder of the fiery, dangerous world that lay beyond the rainforest. She hissed softly under her breath, her tail flicking in irritation as she sniffed the air. The NightWing island was no place for an IceWing, and yet, something about the mystery of it called to her.

"Well, well," a voice drawled from above, smooth and teasing. Icemoon froze, her muscles tensing as she spun around, her wings flaring slightly in surprise. Perched on a sturdy branch just above her was Deathbringer, his sleek black scales blending almost perfectly with the shadows. His tail was coiled lazily around the branch, and in his talons, he held a half-eaten mango, its golden flesh glistening in the faint light. He grinned at her, his sharp teeth flashing as he took another bite of the fruit.

"I didn't think I'd see you here, pretty one," he said, his voice dripping with amusement. His dark eyes gleamed as they roamed over her, taking in her frost-kissed scales and the faint shimmer of starlight that danced across her wings.

Icemoon's expression hardened, her icy demeanor snapping back into place like a shield. "Deathbringer," she said coolly, her voice as sharp as the winter wind. "What are you doing here?"

He shrugged, his wings shifting lazily as he leaned back against the branch. "Oh, you know. Just enjoying the scenery. And the mangoes. You should try one sometime—they're surprisingly good." He held out the fruit toward her, his grin widening.

Icemoon didn't move, her gaze narrowing as she studied him. "I'm not here for mangoes," she said flatly. "And I'm certainly not here for you."

Deathbringer chuckled, the sound low and velvety. "Pity. I was hoping you'd missed me." He tilted his head, his eyes glinting with mischief. "But seriously, what brings an IceWing like you to a place like this? Shouldn't you be off... I don't know, building snow forts or something?"

Icemoon's tail lashed, but she kept her voice steady. "I don't owe you an explanation," she said. "And if you're quite done wasting my time, I have things to do."

She turned to leave, but Deathbringer's voice stopped her in her tracks. "Oh, come on, Icemoon. Don't be like that." His tone was lighter now, almost playful. "I'm just curious. You're not exactly the type to wander into dark, smoky tunnels for no reason. What's got you so interested in the NightWing island?"

Icemoon hesitated, her back still turned to him. She didn't owe him an answer, and yet... something about his persistence grated on her. She glanced over her shoulder, her icy gaze meeting his. "It's none of your business," she said finally. "But if you must know, I'm exploring. The rainforest is full of secrets, and I intend to uncover them."

Deathbringer's grin softened into something almost genuine. "Admirable," he said. "But you might want to be careful. The NightWing island isn't exactly a friendly place for outsiders. Especially IceWings."

Icemoon's lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "I can handle myself," she said. "But thank you for the concern."

Deathbringer chuckled again, leaning forward on the branch. "Oh, I have no doubt about that. You're one of the most capable dragons I've ever met. But still..." He paused, his expression turning uncharacteristically serious for a moment. "If you ever need backup, you know where to find me."

Icemoon studied him for a moment, her sharp eyes searching his face. Then, without a word, she turned and stepped into the tunnel, her wings brushing against the damp stone walls as she disappeared into the shadows.

Deathbringer watched her go, his grin returning as he took another bite of his mango. "Always so dramatic," he murmured to himself, his tail flicking lazily. "Good luck, pretty one. You're going to need it."

SCENEBREAK

The island loomed before Icemoon like a jagged, smoldering nightmare. The air was thick with ash, the acrid scent of sulfur burning her nostrils as she took a cautious step forward. Rivers of molten lava glowed ominously in the distance, their fiery light casting an eerie red hue over the barren landscape. The ground beneath her talons was rough and hot, and the oppressive heat pressed against her scales like a suffocating blanket. She shuddered, her frost-kissed wings twitching instinctively as if trying to shield her from the hellish environment.

What a hellhole, she thought, her glacier-blue eyes scanning the desolate terrain. This was where half of her tribe lived—exiled, forgotten, and forced to endure this fiery prison. The thought sent a cold ripple of anger through her, but she pushed it aside, focusing instead on the task at hand. She needed to be careful. One wrong move here, and she'd be discovered.

Her wings shifted slightly, and she glanced up at the sky, expecting to see the dark silhouettes of NightWings patrolling above. But the red, cloud-covered expanse was empty, save for the occasional plume of smoke rising from the volcano. The wingbeats she'd heard weren't above her—they were behind her.

Before she could react, a claw brushed against her tail, and she spun around, her teeth bared in a silent snarl. Deathbringer stood there, his black scales blending seamlessly with the shadows, his expression calm and unbothered. He licked the last traces of mango juice from his talons, his dark eyes glinting with amusement as he met her icy glare.

"Relax, sweetie," he said, his voice smooth and teasing. The mango was gone now, devoured in a few quick bites. "I'm here to be a guide. You'll need it."

Icemoon's eyes narrowed, her tail lashing behind her as she took a step back. "How do I know I can trust you?" she hissed, her voice low and dangerous.

Deathbringer chuckled softly, the sound like velvet against the harsh backdrop of the island. "Pretty one," he said, his tone dripping with mockery, though it still irked her. "Oh, you don't," he admitted, flicking his wings back casually. "But I've got no need to show you off to the queen just yet."

Icemoon's gaze hardened, her claws digging into the ashy ground. "And why is that?" she demanded, her voice like ice. "What do you gain from helping me?"

Deathbringer tilted his head, his grin widening. "Maybe I just like your company," he said, his tone light but his eyes sharp. "Or maybe I'm curious to see what an IceWing like you is doing sneaking around a place like this. Either way, you're better off with me than without me. Trust me."

Icemoon didn't respond immediately, her mind racing as she weighed her options. She didn't trust him—not entirely—but he was right about one thing: navigating this island alone would be nearly impossible. And if he had any intention of betraying her, he'd likely have done so already.

Finally, she gave a curt nod, her expression still guarded. "Fine," she said. "But if you try anything—"

Deathbringer held up a talon, cutting her off. "I know, I know. You'll freeze me solid or something equally terrifying." He smirked, his tail flicking lazily. "Relax, Icemoon. I'm on your side. For now, at least."

Icemoon's lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn't argue. Instead, she fell into step beside him, her wings folded tightly against her sides as they moved deeper into the island. The heat was relentless, and the air grew heavier with every step, but Icemoon refused to show any sign of discomfort. She was an IceWing, after all, and IceWings didn't falter—not even in the face of a volcanic inferno.

Deathbringer led the way, his movements smooth and confident as he navigated the treacherous terrain. He glanced back at her occasionally, his expression unreadable, but he didn't speak again. For now, they were allies, bound by a fragile, unspoken agreement. And as they ventured further into the heart of the NightWing island, Icemoon couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something far more dangerous than she'd anticipated.

SCENEBREAK

Icemoon's heart clenched as Deathbringer led her through the grim, shadowy prison caves. The air was heavy with the scent of damp stone and despair, and the faint cries of imprisoned RainWings echoed faintly in the distance. She clenched her talons, her icy scales prickling with anger. These must be the prisoners Orchid told me about, she thought, her mind flashing to the gentle RainWing who had become so dear to her. The injustice of it all burned hotter than the volcanic air around her.

But Deathbringer didn't linger. He moved on, his movements smooth and purposeful, until they reached a rocky plateau overlooking the island. There, two dragonets sat—a SkyWing and a SeaWing. The SkyWing's crimson scales glinted in the dim light, his expression hardening into a scowl as he spotted Icemoon. The SeaWing beside him, his green-blue scales shimmering faintly, looked up with a mixture of curiosity and disdain.

"Why is that brat here, Deathbringer?" the SkyWing growled, his voice sharp and accusing. His amber eyes narrowed as they locked onto Icemoon, his wings twitching with barely restrained irritation.

Deathbringer's grin faded, his expression turning hard and unyielding. "Watch it, Sky," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "This is Icemoon, the prophesied dragonet. Show her some respect."

The SeaWing snorted, his tail lashing against the ground. "She's our replacement, isn't she?" he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Morrowseer told me about her." He spread his green wings, his gaze flicking dismissively over Icemoon. "She hasn't done anything to earn our respect yet, assassin." With that, he launched himself into the air, calling over his shoulder, "Sorry, not sorry," before flying off. The SkyWing shot Icemoon one last glare before following after him, his wings beating the air with sharp, angry strokes.

Deathbringer sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly as he watched them go. "Sorry about those two," he said, turning back to Icemoon. "They're normally kind, but I guess Morrowseer got them in a bad mood."

Icemoon scoffed, her icy gaze following the retreating figures of the two dragonets. "SkyWings are always in a bad mood," she said flatly. "And SeaWings are too slippery. The only SeaWing I like is Tsunami." She ruffled her wings, the heat of the island beginning to wear on her patience. "Let's go; this heat is annoying me."

Deathbringer nodded, and the two of them took to the air, leaving the plateau behind. They flew to another part of the prison caves, where the air grew cooler and the walls were lined with rusted chains and faded claw marks. Deathbringer gestured toward the entrance, his expression unreadable. "Here were the original plans for the RainWing prisoners," he said, his voice low. "But you found the one that we sold to Burn." He flicked a claw toward the chain links on the walls, their metal dull and corroded.

As they stepped inside, a NightWing looked up from a pile of scrolls, his dark scales blending with the shadows. His glasses perched precariously on his nose, and his expression was one of mild surprise as he spotted Deathbringer and Icemoon.

"Ah, Deathbringer, you came!" he exclaimed, his voice warm but tinged with curiosity. Then his gaze shifted to Icemoon, and he tilted his head, his eyes narrowing slightly behind his glasses. "And with an apprentice, it seems." He smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "What's your name, sweetheart?"

Icemoon's stomach twisted as she studied him. Starflight's father? she thought uncertainly. It has to be. The resemblance was uncanny—the same thoughtful expression, the same careful demeanor. But there was something colder about this dragon, something calculating that set her on edge.

"Icemoon," she said, her voice cool and steady. She didn't offer anything more, her gaze locking with his in a silent challenge.

The NightWing's smile widened, though it still didn't reach his eyes. "Icemoon," he repeated, as if testing the name on his tongue. "A strong name. Fitting for a dragonet of destiny." He leaned forward slightly, his glasses slipping down his nose. "Tell me, Icemoon, what brings you to our little corner of the world?"

Icemoon didn't flinch, her expression as unyielding as ice. "Curiosity," she said simply. "And a desire to see the truth for myself."

The NightWing chuckled, the sound low and almost approving. "Curiosity is a dangerous thing," he said. "But it can also be... enlightening. Perhaps you'll find what you're looking for here." He glanced at Deathbringer, his smile turning sly. "Take care of her, won't you, Deathbringer? She's quite the intriguing little dragon."

Deathbringer nodded, his expression unreadable. "Of course," he said. "Icemoon is in good talons."

Icemoon didn't respond, her mind racing as she processed the encounter. There was more to this place—and to these dragons—than she had anticipated. And as she followed Deathbringer deeper into the caves, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was stepping into a web far more tangled and dangerous than she had imagined.