Chapter Text
As the party was approaching the SeaWing Kingdom the Sun had recently started dawning on it painting the kingdom in a beautifull orange sight, and to Shadowslash's suprise boats and ships could be seen dotting the waters around the kingdom. 'strange this wasn't in the books' he thought and turned to King Gill with a questioning look.
'How come there are boats and ships in the SeaWing Kingdom? I had heard no mention of this within the Scorpion den or anywhere for that matter.' he asked to King Gill whom placed a webbed talon against his head as they continued flying overhead.
'Well it was around 6 years back that we suddenly got a message from a splinter faction of SeaWings whom had developed a community on the ships in the form of entire village's towns and cities on them alongside smaller boats for families. They asked to reintergrate with out society after discovering us again, and so I was busy with that until I got captured during a meeting with some of the city leaders. These SeaWings called themselves the Wayfarers and have ever since then ships and boats have been a common sight in the Sea Kingdom.' King Gill said to which Tsunami looked a bit suprised.
'So you were acting as the unifier between these seafaring SeaWings father?' Tsunami asked to which King Gill nodded.
'Interesting I will have to study these SeaWings a lot, I wonder how their social structure differentiaties from the already pre-established norm in SeaWing society.' Starflight said with an excited voice already prepping a scroll for later recording.
'Only you would find such boring things interesting Starflight, I just need a challenge and I am good.' Glory replied back with her usual sarcastic tone.
'Hmm but this causes a lot of tension between both sides, one culture of SeaWings intergrating with another that results in a lot of stress and a lot of PoP's forming.' Shadowslash said thoughtfully to which Tsunami instantly perked up and King Gill looked a bit puzzled as he hasn't heard that acronym before.
'So you're saying I can have my epic fights quicker then I thought sick!' Tsunami said in an excited tone causing Sunny and Clay to chuckle a bit at the enthousiasm.
'Patience Tsunami, I think Shadowslash would only tackle those that are actively hindering our journey as a whole not the small ones that don't bother us.' Sunny said with a soft smile causing Tsunami to look a bit dissapointed as she bowed her head down.
'Oh, but is there a chance I can experience them at least?' Tsunami asked in a hopefull tone to which Shadowslash nodded.
'Yes, although you zoned out during our talk yesterday night I heard from King Gill that he has been gone for quite a while. And your mother Queen Coral most likely isn't in a good state of mind especially not when King Gill was imprisoned in the Sky Arena. I am willing to bet some rot has wormed it's way into the royal court, though how bad that we have to see for ourselves.' Shadowslash said to which King Gill nodded in worry and Clay also looked a bit worried.
'Shadowslash speaks the truth, I fear in my absence my wife has gotten paranoid so much so that it could have caused the kingdom to deteriorate to such a degree that the upper class take priority over the lower class. My dear Coral may be many things but seeing what our people needed is not her strong point.' King Gill said looking somberly at the boats and ships in the water as Clay flashed the same worrisome look.
'I can understand that feeling, I have a feeling the siblings of mine are hopefully able to stay sane without me for them there.' Clay said looking away into the distance towards the border with the Mud Kingdom.
'We can go visit them after we have checked in on the SeaWing Kingdom, I can at least promise you that with King Gill by our side you won't have to suffer Queen Coral's paranoia.' Shadowslash said to which Clay hesitantly smiled back.
'Thanks Shadowslash, that means much to me.' Clay said with a smile which Sunny mirrored as they continued flying just then however a shout got their attention.
'No way is that King Gill? It's King Gill, everyone King Gill is back!' the voice shouted turning to face where it came from a 2 armored SeaWing guards could be made out the one shouting appearing to be male, turning to face them King Gill gave a soft smile.
'Yes it's me and I am not alone, I have brought none other than someone of my royal bloodline with me.' he said gesturing to Tsunami 'May I present, princess Tsunami of the SeaWings.' he added to which Tsunami took on as proud as a pose she could in the air which caused the guards to look dumbstruck for a second before noting that her wings had the same royal pattern and the two of them looked excited.
'You not only came back but brought a lost princess?' the male guard said before looking at the rest of the group and quickly taking on a defensive stance upon seeing Shadowslash's black scales 'And who are they King Gill? Because you better have a good reason for bringing a NightWing here.' the guard added pointing at Shadowslash who was used to this at the point and just looked a bit bored
'These are the Dragonet's of Destiny alongside Shadowslash of the PhantomWings.' King Gill said gesturing to Shadowslash whom shafted the bored look and waved back 'And yes you heard me right 'Phantom'Wings not 'Night'Wings, the difference between them lies in the wing colours and the white scale mask.' he added gesturing towards the wing colour of Shadowslash alongside the white scale mask on his forehead.
'That still doesn't explain why he looks like a NightWing.' the male guard said and King Gill just sighed as Tsunami having enough interrupted.
'Look we can discuss this later, I am dead tired from flying for nearly a whole day so can we maybe clear this up in presence of my mother.' Tsunami said with annoyance as King Gill and Glory nodded in agreement.
'I rarely agree with Tsunami but yes I want some rest, I really don't want to go through an interrogation of six hours without at least some proper standing ground, and no that is not because I am lazy but because flying for all day really sucks the spirit out of you.' Glory said in a semi honest and semi sarcastic tone her scales shifting to a tired muted green.
the SeaWing guards looked at each other before the male nodded 'You're right we should probably bring you to meet Queen Coral, she would like to hear that King Gill is back alongside a missing princess we have never heard of. Before that though i would appreciate it if you took of your weapons.' the male guard said directed at Shadowslash who was still wearing his custom steel claws.
'It would be best to do that on ground, they require both me and another guard to cooperate for them to be removeable.' Shadowslash said to which the male guard just sighed in annoyance.
'Fine you can keep them on for now then, but know if you attack someone we will forcibly try to remove them.' the male guard said before nodding to follow him alongside the other guard.
***
The group had followed the guards straight to the Summer Palace to which the entrance was hidden in an underwater cave, upon arriving in the throne room Queen Coral appeared to be in a meeting with the SeaWing Council and she appeared to have a female dragonet forcefully harnessed to her.
'Queen Coral we have some urgent news to report.' The Male SeaWing guard said drawing Queen Coral's attention whom upon seeing King Gill looks glad.
'Gill, is-is that really you?' Queen Coral said with a hesitant tone and when King Gill nods a smile appears as she turns to the council 'You're all dismissed, and I want the cooks to know that tonight we are holding a feast and ball. My husband has officially returned.' she added to which one of the council members looked concerned.
'But-but my queen with our current budget we can't afford that, we are already struggling to keep our finances in check.' the member said to which Queen Coral looked annoyed.
'I decree as queen that tonight we are holding a feast, I won't take no for an answer.' Queen Coral states her tone leaving no room for answer as to which all council members sigh and pack up their stuff knowing that nothing will change, Shadowslash meanwhile noting that the Queen has an obvious PoP and that the dragonet whom is harnassed is not looking happy something which makes him worried as well as the stench of a PoP coming of a very specific SeaWing one whom had blobby frog like eyes and walked around with a pompous attitude looking down on them as if everyone around him was beneath him and passed by with the rest of the councilmembers left. When the last member of the council has left Coral rushes forward hugging Gill as she begins to cry the dragonet secured for her choking for air.
'I missed you so much dear, but what is this harnass for? And who is this dragonet?' King Gill asked to which Queen Coral gave a hesitant smile.
'This is Anenome our succesor to the throne did you forget that?' she said pointing at the dragonet who looked annoyed.
'Yeah I get it mother, now can you let me go I want to explore.' Anenome said to which Coral looked annoyed.
'No can't do you are going to be taught by Whirlpool for your animus lessons soon, and afterwards you will stay close I am not losing another female dragonet.' Coral stated with annoyance as she looked at Anenome Shadowslash's mind instantly rinning alarm bells at the mention of Whirlpool before Queen Coral notices the rest of the DoD's and Shadowslash 'And who are these outsiders?' she asked with a bit of fear and skepticism.
'Well they are none other than the Dragonet's of Destiny, however the most important one is the SeaWing of the group. Darling that one is our daughter!' King Gill said in an excited voice and Queen Coral's mood shift from paranoia too hope she quickly inspects the SeaWing and when she notices the royal markings she stops hugging Gill and rushes forward to hug Tsunami who begrudgingly takes the forcefull hug. Anenome being dragged along like a doll on a string something which although she is not happy about that is more excited by the prospect of finally getting a proper sister.
'Is, is this day real? Not only do I get my husband back but now my long lost daughter as well, I can't believe it.' Queen Coral says as she starts crying genuine tears of joy, Shadowslash noting that her PoP's strenght weakened a lot with just that revelation.
'Nice to meet you mother now can you please let me go, this is kind of awkward.' Tsunami says with annoyance to which Queen Coral takes a few seconds before doing so the smile never leaving her face.
'That must mean these others are your friends.' Queen Coral said looking at the group and not being happy with the presence of Clay and more importantly Shadowslash and Starflight all of whom note this discomfort 'Would you be so kind to introduce them?'
'Okay then.' Tsunami says with a sigh and points towards Sunny first 'This is Sunny, she's the kindest friendliest dragon you can get, atlhough maybe a bit too kind sometimes.' she says and Sunny makes a smile as she bows respectfully.
'Nice to meet you, your majesty.' Sunny says her positive energy even reaching the distrustfull heart of Queen Coral whom immediatly relaxes upon seeing the genuine enthousiasm, Anenome looking at Sunny with a look of boredom.
'Then we have Glory.' Tsunami says pointing at Glory with a claw 'she would be tolerable if she would shut up every once in a while.' she added to which Glory's scales went to an annoyed orange.
'Right and that comes from the one that never takes no for an answer when asked to stop fighting.' Glory replied back sarcastically which caused an annoyed huff to come from Tsunami, Queen Coral not liking Glory so much but Anenome absolutely looking with interest at her.
'Then we have Clay, the most gentle of us all if a bit food obsessed.' she says pointing at Clay with a slight teasing tone causing him to let out a soft chuckle as he smiled at Queen Coral.
'Nice to meet you Queen Coral.' he says making a slight bow which doesn't go so well due to his MudWing physique. Queen Coral looks a bit less worried now and Anenome seems to find him tolerable.
'Then we have Starflight the know it all of the group. If you want academic discussions that bore you to death then you should talk to him.' Tsunami said pointing at Starflight who made a clinically precise bow.
'Nice to meet you your majesty, once this is over could we maybe discuss the intricacies of the Wayfarer SeaWings, I have a lot of questions i'd like answered.' Starflight said in a respectfull tone, Queen Coral's suspicioun of him also lowered and Anenome instantly categorized him as incredibly boring and not noteworthy.
'And finally this is Shadowslash of the PhantomWings, he's the one I honestly own the most too and who we have to thank that father even is alive to in this very moment.' Tsunami said with honesty, her usual angry personality missing as King Gill nodded in conformation and Shadowslash made a respectfull bow.
'Nice to meet you your majesty, I doubt you have ever heard of my tribe before but know that we are specialized in removing 'issues' that plague the kingdoms.' Shadowslash said to which Queen Coral immediatly looked interested her eyes falling on his custom steel claws which also seems to have drawn Anenome's attention who looks incredibly interested.
'Is that so, then could you perhaps fix an issue that has been plaguing my kingdom for a while now?' Queen Coral said with an interested tone and Shadowslash quickly placed which issue she was referring to as Queen Coral was looking at Anenome.
'Yes your majesty, just tell me what it is and I will tell you what I require.' Shadowslash said with an honest tone and Queen Coral's paranoia leaves as quickly as it had been now openly looking at him.
'We have this issue of female dragonets of royal lineage dying the moment they are born. It has been plaguing my kingdom for a long while now and I want it solved now. It has already caused me enough headaches.' Queen Coral said looking annoyed at herself which caused Gill to give a symphathetic look.
'I got it your majesty, but for this issue I need the help of your daughter Anenome, I got a solution that will turn this disaster into an extra security measure. However due to the sensitive nature of this issue I need Anenome, because it involves Animus magic.' Shadowslash said to which Queen Coral looks suspicious and Anenome looking suprisingly hopefull.
'And why pray tell should I let my talons loose on the only animus our kingdom has had in this generation?' Queen Coral asks with a skeptical and stern voice.
'Well that is because as I stated earlier this issue involves animus magic and frankly I think you are being to paranoid.' Shadowslash said and knowing that the previous statement is risky he carefully chooses his next words 'Anenome may be 1 years old but this leashing is ridiculous, I don't care if it is out of motherly protection it will leave permanent scars upon the body if you can't control your emotions seeing as you 2 are tied together after all. And judging from the part of the meeting I overheard I don't think your majesty has the best lid on her emotions, thus I would like to ask that you instead give this harnass to Tsunami seeing as she is Anenome's elder sister and is at the age where she can control herself. If you worry for both their safety I can protect them, Glory, Sunny and Clay can vouch for my skills if necesarry. And I am very, very sorry if I offended you your majesty my social skills aren't the best.' he says taking in a deep sigh to rest his tongue, Queen Coral takes a moment before turning to King Gill who nods with Shadowslash's assesment and a deep sigh escape's her throat.
'Okay fine, but you need something to breathe underwater seeing as the eggs are stored there.' Queen Coral says clapping her webbed talons together and a SeaWing attendant brings a jewelry box picking the least extravagant of the rings and handing it to Anenome 'Enchant it so it grants underwater breathing.' she says and before Anenome can do it Shadowslash interrupts.
'Sorry your majesty but being able to talk underwater would also be useful, I am very sorry if I offended you with this.' he says to which Queen Coral gives him a stern look but after a bit of thinking nods.
'Add what he wanted on as well.' Queen Coral finally says and Anenome nods.
'I echant this ring to allow the user to breathe underwater and talk underwater indefinetily.' Anenome says before handing it to Shadowslash whom puts on the ring and jumps down of the platform to test the ring real quick landing with a splash in the water and saying a few test words before flying out and nodding.
'It works.' Shadowslash says before turning to Queen Coral who unclips her harness and put's it around Tsunami.
'Take good care of her, and return before nightfall I don't want you to miss the banquet we are holding in you and your father's honour.' Queen Coral said to which Tsunami begrudgingly nodded.
'Got it mother.' she said with a sigh before walking slowly away Anenome now looking more excited to finally have something other to do then be stuck to Animus magic classes and having time with her sister.
And so the 3 set of to confront whatever is causing the royal eggs to die in the palace, the water's around them churning with malicious currents as they go.