Later that night, the rainforest was cloaked in a deep, velvety darkness, broken only by the soft glow of firelight from the village and the occasional flicker of bioluminescent plants. Icemoon sat on a low-hanging branch, her pale, star-speckled scales shimmering faintly in the dim light as she talked quietly with Moonwatcher and Starflight. The three of them had been discussing the scrolls Starflight had longed to read for years—scrolls that the guardians back at the caves had always denied him. Moonwatcher listened intently, her green-tinted scales catching the firelight as she leaned forward, her teardrop scales glimmering with curiosity.

Starflight's voice was animated, his dark eyes alight with excitement as he described the contents of the scrolls. "They're supposed to contain ancient prophecies and histories of the NightWings," he said, his talons gesturing enthusiastically. "Things that could help us understand our tribe's past—and maybe even our future."

Icemoon nodded, her icy-blue eyes thoughtful. "It's strange that the guardians kept them hidden," she said, her voice cool but tinged with curiosity. "What are they so afraid of us finding out?"

Before Starflight could respond, the bushes nearby shuddered, the leaves rustling loudly. Moonwatcher let out a small squeak and ducked behind Icemoon, her green eyes wide with alarm. Icemoon's wings fluffed up instinctively, her black, star-speckled feathers bristling as she turned toward the sound, her gaze sharp and wary.

Out of the shadows emerged Deathbringer, his sleek black scales blending seamlessly with the night. His usual smirk was in place, but there was a tension in his posture that hadn't been there before. Behind him, several other figures stepped into the firelight—dragons Icemoon didn't recognize, their expressions guarded and their movements deliberate.

Icemoon's eyes narrowed, and she took a step forward, her voice cool and steady. "What are you doing here, Deathbringer?" she asked, her tone laced with suspicion. "I thought you had been captured by the others."

Deathbringer chuckled, though the sound lacked its usual ease. "Captured? Me? Please," he said, his voice smooth but with an edge of tension. "I'm harder to catch than you think, pretty one." He glanced over his shoulder at the figures behind him, his smirk fading slightly. "But I'm not here for fun and games. We need to talk."

Icemoon's wings twitched, and she exchanged a quick glance with Starflight, who had moved closer to her side, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern. Moonwatcher peeked out from behind Icemoon, her green eyes wide as she studied the newcomers.

"Talk about what?" Icemoon asked, her voice sharp. "And who are they?"

Deathbringer's gaze flicked to Moonwatcher, and for a moment, his expression softened. "This is Moonwatcher, isn't it?" he said, his tone surprisingly gentle. "I've heard about you. Your mother... she's been keeping you hidden for a reason."

Moonwatcher's eyes widened, and she took a small step forward, her voice trembling. "You... you know my mother?"

Deathbringer nodded, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "I do. And that's why we're here." He turned back to Icemoon, his dark eyes locking with hers. "There's something you need to know—something about the NightWings, the scrolls, and the prophecy. It's bigger than any of us realized."

Icemoon's heart skipped a beat, and she felt Starflight tense beside her. "What are you talking about?" she demanded, her voice low and urgent.

Deathbringer took a step closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "The guardians didn't just hide those scrolls from you, Starflight," he said, his gaze shifting to the smaller NightWing. "They hid them from everyone. Because they contain secrets—secrets that could change everything."

Starflight's eyes widened, and he leaned forward, his scholarly instincts kicking in. "What kind of secrets?" he asked, his voice trembling with excitement and apprehension.

Deathbringer's smirk returned, though it was tinged with something darker. "The kind that could bring the NightWing tribe to its knees," he said. "And the kind that could put all of us in danger if we're not careful."

Icemoon's mind raced, her icy-blue eyes narrowing as she studied Deathbringer. "And why are you telling us this now?" she asked, her voice sharp. "What's in it for you?"

Deathbringer's expression softened, and for a moment, the usual teasing glint in his eyes was replaced by something more genuine. "Because I'm tired of playing their games," he said quietly. "And because... I think you're the only ones who can stop what's coming."

The air grew heavy with tension, the firelight flickering against the scales of the dragons gathered in the clearing. Icemoon glanced at Starflight and Moonwatcher, her mind racing as she processed Deathbringer's words. Whatever secrets lay hidden in those scrolls, one thing was clear: they were about to uncover something that would change everything. And as the shadows of the rainforest closed in around them, Icemoon couldn't shake the feeling that they were standing on the edge of something far bigger—and far more dangerous—than any of them had imagined.

SCENEBREAK

After Deathbringer had finished explaining the reasons why these unfamiliar dragons were now accompanying him, Icemoon felt a heavy silence fill the air. The tension still lingered in her mind, but she knew it was time to get to the village and speak with her friends. Without another word, she rose to her feet, her dark wings unfurling like midnight skies with glimmering stars speckled across them. Her sharp blue eyes scanned the surrounding forest as she took off into the air, her wings cutting through the cool night air with precision.

The village's tallest platform came into view, rising high above the village like an ancient sentinel. Icemoon landed lightly on the wooden beams, her talons making no sound against the well-worn planks. The platform was a hub of activity, where her closest friends had gathered. Glory, with her iridescent scales reflecting the soft light of the moon, sat at the center, her eyes alert and ever watchful. Clay, always warm and reliable, sat beside her, his massive frame as comforting as ever. Tsunami, the fierce warrior with her blue scales rippling like the ocean's waves, and Sunny, bright and full of warmth, sat nearby, all of them deep in conversation.

"Icemoon," Glory said, her voice melodic and welcoming. As she noticed her approach, she perked up, her golden eyes sparkling in the moonlight.

"Icemoon! Hey, how is the night going?" she asked, the light of the evening dancing across her scales.

Icemoon flicked her tail, the motion sharp and controlled. She looked at Glory, and then the others, her expression serious. "Deathbringer is back—and he brought friends." Her voice was steady, but her mind was still racing with thoughts of the strange Nightwing and the unease that had settled in her chest.

The moment those words left her mouth, Tsunami's expression darkened, her spine stiffening as her muscles tensed. "That pompous jerk?" she spat, her voice full of disdain. "Really?" The words were sharp, almost like the crack of thunder in the distance, and Icemoon could see the bristles along Tsunami's back rise as she prepared for a possible confrontation.

Clay exchanged a look with Sunny, and Icemoon could feel the collective weight of their concern as they processed the information.

Glory twitched her tail, the iridescent scales shimmering as the light caught them. Her eyes narrowed slightly, reflecting both curiosity and caution. "Well, what did he want then?" she asked, her voice calm but tinged with a hint of suspicion. She was always quick to pick up on any shifts in the air, and something about the way Icemoon had said "he brought friends" made her uneasy.

Icemoon's gaze shifted downward, her blue eyes clouded with thought for a moment. She considered how best to explain the encounter. "He didn't come with any clear intentions... just that he seemed to want to make sure we knew he was still around. And these 'friends' of his... I'm not sure if they're allies, or just... company. But something feels off about it." She flicked her tail again, frustration creeping into her voice. "He's too calm about it all. Like he knows something we don't."

Tsunami shifted uncomfortably, her muscles still coiled with the instinct to fight. "We should have taken care of him when we had the chance," she muttered under her breath, but Clay placed a calming hand on her shoulder, his large form softening her tension.

Sunny's golden eyes softened as she looked at Icemoon, understanding the weight of her words. "We'll keep an eye on him. If anything happens, we'll be ready. But for now, let's focus on what we can do to make sure the village is safe." She smiled softly at Icemoon, her voice full of quiet reassurance.

Icemoon nodded, her wings shifting slightly as she spoke. "Also, he mentioned that the Nightwings are a shifty bunch... that he and his friends didn't want to be a part of them anymore, so they came here." Her voice carried a mix of disbelief and hesitation, as if she wasn't sure whether to trust Deathbringer's words.

Glory hummed thoughtfully, her tail curling around her paws as she processed the information. "Well," she said slowly, her voice taking on a thoughtful tone, "I guess we can allow them that. The Rainwings aren't a bad bunch." She glanced around at the group, her expression softening slightly as she considered the possibilities. "If they want to leave the Nightwings behind, I suppose we can offer them a chance to prove themselves."

Clay let out a quiet sigh, rubbing the back of his neck with a clawed hand. "I just hope they're not causing trouble. It's one thing to leave behind a group like that, but we don't know what kind of baggage they're bringing with them." His voice was steady, but Icemoon could sense the concern in his tone.

Tsunami, still clearly on edge, crossed her arms over her chest. "If they're here to stay, we'll have to watch them. No one just walks away from a group like that without having some kind of agenda." She narrowed her eyes at the thought.

Sunny, ever the optimist, offered a smile to lighten the mood. "Let's not jump to conclusions just yet. We'll give them the benefit of the doubt—for now." She turned her gaze to Icemoon, her voice gentle but firm. "You did the right thing coming back to us, Icemoon. We'll figure this out together."

Icemoon met her gaze, feeling a warmth spread through her chest despite the uncertainty. She could always count on her friends to keep her grounded. "Thanks, Sunny. I just don't know if I can trust Deathbringer... or any of them, really. But I'll keep my eyes open."

As the group settled into their quiet vigil, the night air hummed with the sounds of the rainforest, a constant reminder of the world they were trying to protect, and the uncertainty that lay ahead.