"You're sending me away again?" Flame sobbed.

His mother, Avalanche, stood before him and looked at the ground. She can't even look me in the eye. He snarled in his head.

"Queen Ruby has graciously offered you a spot in her new healing center." His mother spoke and reached for the letter they had received today. The one from Queen Ruby.

"I had thought sending you to Jade Academy would help…but apparently not." Her voice became sour as she spoke the final part of the sentence. Flame knew she was hinting at the Stonemover incident. "Frankly I'm surprised there isn't a warrant for your arrest. If I were you, I would take the offer." She finally looked at Flame and her voice softened. "I think it's for the best."

What a fucking lie that was. Everything about this was just one big, shitty lie.

"And what are the healers supposed to do?! My face is scarred mother, it's already as healed as it's gonna get!" He growled and tore the letter from his mother's talons, ripping it in half. He lashed out to hide the swelling of tears that was building up behind his eyes. Who am I kidding? If I were her I would send me away as well.

He paced around the small room that he and his mother shared in Possibility. Most of the dragons that had made up the talons of peace resided here or in the other town that the leader was building near the mountains. For all the praise going around about this town, Flame found it just as terrible as any other place. Dragons still stared at him like he was a freak. He knew they were mocking him behind his back. Laughing at his scar. They thought he was an ugly monster…and now so did his mother.

The only dragon he had ever trusted and loved now couldn't even look at him. His own mother hated him. And it was all because of this fucking scar.

No. It's all because of those fucking NightWings and that dead fucking SandWing. Rage roiled up in his chest and his common fantasy of ripping off every SandWing's tail and using them to stab all the NightWings to death came to mind.

A gentle brush of his mother's wings against his own stopped the thoughts. She gently took his chin and wiped away the tears that had been falling. He hadn't even noticed them.

She sighed deeply. "Please, Flame. Don't fight this. You're going, and that's that." She said and let go of his chin. "I'm going to write a reply to Queen Ruby and tell her that you have agreed to go." His mother turned away from him and sat down at her desk where she began to write on a piece of parchment paper. Every word written was like a dagger in his heart and a punch to the stomach. She was sending him away again.

Unable to watch he sauntered over to the window of their small place and observed the dragons passing by. Some walked with friends, others with young dragonets, some with lovers.

None of them deserve happiness or love. Life fucking sucks and then you die. That's it.

Flame glanced back at his mother as she continued to write the letter.

Especially if you're as unlovable as I am.

Umber sat nervously in the extremely vast and extremely empty throne room of Queen Moorhen. The dark gray granite floors beneath him were so clean that he could see his reflection. He could also see the reflection of the mud that had fallen off of his body and onto the floor. Vast columns held up a domed ceiling of deep pink marble and the whole room was opened to the warm breeze that rolled over the surrounding swamp gardens through giant archways.

Despite the inviting warmth of the sun and friendly croaks of nearby frogs Umber still felt anxious and he knew Sora felt even worse. They had returned to the Mud Kingdom a few weeks ago after Sora's…incident and had gone straight to the Queen to tell her what had happened.

They had been instructed to stay within the Mud Kingdom as Queen Moorhen corresponded with Queen Ruby, Glory and Glacier about the appropriate punishment for Sora. After all, a SkyWing and NightWing had been killed, a RainWing injured and an IceWing almost killed. Now they had been called to the throne room for the results.

A choked sob from Sora punctured the silence as she silently began to weep.

Umber immediately extended a wing and wrapped her in a hug. "Shh. It'll be alright." He whispered for the hundredth time. "Moorhen is a reasonable Queen. She won't let anything bad happen to you." At least he hoped he was right.

"W-what if they kill me?" She cried into his shoulder. "I killed those two dragons, hurt Tamarin and tried to kill the IceWing princess. I would say it's a reasonable punishment."

His answer was interrupted by a commotion at the front of the room where Queen Moorhen emerged from a hidden door. The door led straight to her throne which was placed on an elevated stage above the main floor, but rather than taking a seat Moorhen climbed down the stairs and greeted the dragonets on the main floor as equals. The gems embedded in her scales sparkled in the sunlight.

"Hello Umber and Sora. Thank you for meeting with me." She dipped her head and then turned a concerned gaze to Sora. "How have you been doing?" She gently asked.

Sora quickly wiped away her tears. "I am living each day as they come." She answered honestly.

Moorhen nodded gently. "That is a wise thing to do." She paused. "Of course, you know why I asked you to come today."

Umber's heart had dropped to his stomach which was already a turbulent sea of anxiety. He half expected Sora to start weeping again. But she didn't. Taking a deep breath Sora squared her shoulders and looked Moorhen straight in the eyes. "I am ready for my punishment." She said.

A warm burst of admiration at his sister's bravery spread in his chest, but the look on Queen Moorhen's face washed it away.

The Queen spoke to Sora with a grim tone. "You do realize that what you did is considered by some to be unforgivable." She asked. Sora nodded but Umber could tell she was fighting back tears. Oh, Sora. Whatever happens I will be there with you, I promise. He wound his tail with hers to show his support.

The Queen took a breath and continued. "However, I do not believe you are a criminal and neither do the other queens."

Hope sparked in Umber's chest and he squeezed Sora's tail.

"War is never easy." Moorhen continued. "Especially for dragonets. Queen Ruby believes it leaves a type of wound that cannot be seen. A wound that is in the head and heart. Instead of bleeding out it changes how be behave, think and even feel. Ruby thinks that is what has happened to you."

Umber furrowed his brow and Sora cocked her head in confusion. "In my head?" She repeated and held a talon to her forehead as if she was trying to locate the injury.

"Yes." The Queen answered. "In the Sky Kingdom Ruby is setting up a vast new hospital and as part of this project she is testing and training a new type of doctor. She calls them Soul Healers and they are meant to heal those unseen wounds caused by the war. After much debate we have decided that the best option would be for you to go to these doctors until you are properly healed and able to return to life in the Mud Kingdom."

Umber's mouth dropped open and Sora looked just as surprised.

"So…you're not going to execute me?" His sister timidly asked as if afraid to remind Moorhen of that option.

Moorhen hissed in disgust. "Of course not!" She growled.

"And you're not going to imprison her?" Umber added.

This time Moorhen gave a deep sigh. "I don't think you belong in prison, Sora. I truly don't. Now that the war is over we must begin a time of healing and forgiveness…for everyone."

The anxiety in Umber's stomach unraveled and he pulled his sister in for a tight hug, forgetting that they were in the presence of their Queen. Sora hugged him back and he could feel the tension in her shoulders relax.

Eventually they pulled away, both smiling. "I'll go with you to the Sky Kingdom! I'll be with you every step of the way." Umber quickly offered but then turned a questioning gaze to Moorhen. She nodded and smiled, indicating he was allowed to go.

The sibs hugged again.

"I can't believe we're going to the Sky Kingdom." Sora spoke with a laugh that was equal parts nervous and excited.

"Yeah." He agreed.