When Thorn enters Cobra's hut and asks what's going on, Qibli takes advantage of his mother's distraction, and bolts. he doesn't stop running until he's out of the Scorpion Den and far into the desert. He's hurt and tired and sad. His mother doesn't love him, he knows that now. He brought her a gift, a coconut, and she still rejected him. He continues running until he reaches the mountains. He wanders for several days, eating whatever small critters he can catch and whatever plants look and taste edible, curling up under overhanging rocks and bushes to sleep, hiding in trees and the underbrush whenever he hears Dragons nearby. He's NOT stupid, He KNOWS the world is at war and that most Dragons will see him as a threat. Wren and Sky discover a small Sand Dragon, curled up asleep under a fallen log after a storm. He's small, with a fresh wound on his face. Sky, of course, is ready to help him immediately. Wren is more wary. But. But this little Dragon reminds her of when Sky was just a bit younger, and he needs help, and obviously his parents threw him away too. Qibli is naturally startled to be woken by a strange Skywing and a Scavenger that can speak Dragon. But Sky's friendly lovable nature, and Wrens fierce honesty and protectiveness win him over. The three become a type of family. Qibli picks up the Human language fast and teaches both Sky and Wren more Dragon. He stops Sky from trying to free the animals in Possibility, and thus they never go to Burns Stronghold. Because Qibli is braver than Sky, He and Wren convince Sky to explore some caves. There they meet a strange Dragon turning into stone, who is so starved for company, he doesn't mind having a conversation with two strange Dragonets and a Human. Stonemover is happier in this world, as the regular visits from his crazy world traveling friends, break up the dull life of the cave. He keeps them a secret from the Talons of Peace, and ends up telling them a lot about History, Science, Math, and the Nightwings. He admits to them that the Nightwing powers aren't real, and they promise to keep it a secret, despite not quite understanding the implications. After the War he tells them of his daughter, and they tell him of how they met Wren's brother. Ivy, Leaf, and Stone had arrived back in the forest feeling defeated. They were no closer to freeing Valor. Stone left to water the horses, which was when he saw two young dragons and a human causally hanging out on the river, cheerfully splashing each other and laughing. He stood there for a very long moment, trying to decide whether he had gone insane or was dreaming. Wren saw him and panicked, yelling something about 'leave my dragons alone, you jerk!' and charged him with sword drawn. (Qibli had stolen a small Dragon sword to give to Wren, she loved it and learned very quickly how to stab things with it. She had trained for a long time until she felt she had mastered the art of stabbing.) (Leaf had practiced for longer.) Leaf and Ivy hear the shouting and come running up in time to keep Wren from stabbing Stone. After a long talk, they realize that Wren and Leaf are siblings. Qibli and Sky make Wren apologize for trying to stab Stone, and they decide to help them. Qibli is still smaller than Sky at this point, so he's the one who squeezes into the tunnels and gives everyone a scare. He's better at it than Sky was, and more convincing since he actually IS a Sand Dragon. While telling the story to Stonemover, they are interrupted by one very startled Sunny. Who, it turns out is delighted to meet them. When Jade Mountain Academy starts a few months later, Sky and Qibli are part of the Jade Winglet. And Wren is helping Ivy and Leaf teach a class on Humans.
Tui T. Sutherland for WOF. Few notes: I will write a part 2 for this, covering the second arc, that will probably take more time since it will change more. In this AU, Qibli is less of a fighter and street kid, and more of a 'Feral Forest Child' He and Winter are going to get along better and sooner, since they now have a common interest. Sky is better at being a Dragon in this AU, but he's still his cheerful snail-loving self, he and Kinkajou are gonna be besties. Qibli is more well-adjusted and is generally more sure of himself. he still has confidence and self-worth issues but it's not as bad. Not that I don't love Thorn and the Outclaws, but the Scorpion Den in general was not a good spot to raise a traumatized child. Not to mention the fact that it was nowhere near far enough away from his family. I mean, COME ON! His Grandfather threatened him with dead rats for YEARS! Farther away, out in the forest and away from the war was much better for him. Feel free to use this AU!