Chapter Text
The Sol Empire’s capital. A beautiful city known for its long, rich history. Decorated with flames and jewels, of all kinds, to honour the royal family which continues to reign over them to this very day. Descendants of a heroine – a queen who discovered the Sol Emeralds and harnessed their power to save her citizens from a world-ending crisis. However it came at a price, one that her and her bloodline would be forced to deal with for the rest of their lives... Including the current princess and guardian of the Sol Emeralds…
“The Eternal Flame…” Blaze quietly perches on a velvet, red sofa on the windowsill. Legs tucked in underneath her as her tail curled around like a loafing cat. The smell of the salty seas tickles her nose as it drifts into her bedroom, complimenting the ocean view outside. The mood was enough to rock anyone to sleep. However, the feline’s focus was elsewhere. Her gaze focuses on the tip of her index finger. Where she sparked a small fire at will. Lost in thought.
“The power bestowed upon me from my ancestors…” She watches the flame flicker in the gentle, coastal breeze. “I’ve had this power since I was born – this curse... or so I used to think. My people now see it as a light in the dark to guide them. A cause to celebrate, and as their princess, who am I to deny that? Not just them…” She smiles. Pink creeping onto her muzzle at the thought of a certain hedgehog. “Sonic too-”
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
Her flame goes out in almost an instant as she’s snapped out of her innermost thoughts. The sound disturbing her peace. She glances over to the entrance of her chambers – her ears perked up and alert like her eyes had spotted a laser moving there. “Your Highness, are you here?”
Blaze gets up from her seat – running her hands down her slightly creased tailcoat. “Enter, Gardon.” The door creaks open to reveal a grey koala waiting there in a small, tall, blue hat and a matching blazer. He stands tall, hands by his side as he talks.
“Preparations for the Sol festival are ready.”
“Good. Let us go.” She makes her way across the queen sized room towards him; he steps to the side and extends an arm against the door. Holding it open for Blaze to pass through then shortly shutting it after them.
They make their way down one of the palace’s expensively decorated hallways. Antiques and paintings, of all kinds, were placed along the walls and tables – each one showing off her family’s rich history. Sights many would pay millions to see. She walks ahead with her right hand man a few paces behind.
Muffled chatter in the distance slowly starts to become more audible in the distance. The voices get louder and clearer with each step as the open balcony comes into sight at the end of the path. Blaze walks out onto it, immediately greeted by cheers of the large, lively audience standing below. All gathered for the special occasion.
“She’s here!”
“Your Highness!”
“Elegant as always!” Citizens call out excitedly; their faces full of happiness and anticipation for the celebration to come. Blaze gazes out at them, a warm feeling in her heart. Seeing the people she works so hard to help, to protect – happy. It was all she could ask for. Any trouble was worth it.
She raises her dominant hand to her mouth, loudly clearing her throat. “Ahem!” The crowd falls silent – patiently waiting. “Thank you all for coming. Today, we celebrate the day our world was saved from Starfall. A catastrophe caused by the Luna Empire. They used the Jeweled Scepter irresponsibly and split our once united land across the seas, causing irreplaceable damage. It was only thanks to the first Queen of Sol, Pyra that we are here now.”
She pauses. “However...” And leans forward to grab the railings in front with a serious, determined expression. “Even if we are separated by the seas, we are still Solians and I swear by Sol that I will continue to protect you all in the queen’s place!”
Cheers and applause erupt from the crowd of people. Each of them smiling with one another and nodding in agreement. A view Blaze couldn’t be any prouder of. The reasons why she continuously works hard were for moments like this… and she wasn’t going to stop anytime soon!
“To another year of peace-”
BOOM
The sound of a loud explosion interrupts her. As if to deny her celebratory words. It shakes the ground to its foundation; smoke begins to smother the city. Its smell – suffocating, burning, ashy. Starting to block the once clear view of the starry sky and shrouding them in an uncertain darkness. Frightened screams and panicked cries immediately follow. Once faces of joy now melted into fear. Their peace disturbed – threatened by the sudden danger.
“Everyone, please remain calm!” Blaze’s voice cuts through the chaos like a knife. A saving grace guiding her people from up high: confident, cool and comforting. “Take shelter in the palace, the royal guard will protect you there! I will not allow anyone to get hurt!” She glances over her shoulder. “Gardon!”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
“Go aid the royal guard.” Her attention turns back to face the direction of the attack. A fiery fire growing in her golden orbs. “I will handle the intruder.”
“At once!” He bows then runs back into the building. No protest whatsoever. It’d be futile at this point. The princess wouldn’t listen – he’s tried many times in past situations but he could never convince her, just like his predecessor with the first queen. He couldn’t help but smile. Always putting their people first…
___
Blaze leaps off the balcony and onto the rooftops. Running and jumping along them with ease; heels tapping against the tiles underneath – eyes struggling to scan through the thick, grey haze. “The smoke appears to be coming from Queen Pyra’s Plaza, I cannot let anything happen to it!” She makes her way over without a second thought. Fists clenched in a tight ball at her sides. Whoever did this, was gonna pay! Little did she know, that person would change her views on the Sol Empire forever…
“Ah, I was wondering when you'd arrive! I was getting bored waiting!” An enthusiastic voice greets the feline which brings her to a halt. Where?! She searches for the culprit in a fury frenzy. “The festival can’t start without you lighting the torch, now can it, princess?” Blaze glares over at the center of the plaza as things start to become clearer now. Revealing a marble statue, in the middle of the plaza, of Queen Pyra with a white cat girl happily standing on the palm. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
“So you’re the one responsible for this…” Flames spark under Blaze’s heels and engulf her hands; she uses it to propel herself towards the intruder without warning. Teeth gritted, fangs bared. However the attacker just hops back a few steps and slightly puckers her lips – hand flat under her chin. A cold, snow-filled breeze blows out, freezing the Sol’s guardian’s feet. Locking her in place.
“It’s not very hospitable to attack your guest while they’re greeting you.” She shakes her head, shrugging her shoulders. “Sol Empire royalty is as aggressive as always I see. You need to chill out for a bit.” This only annoys the princess even more.
“You attacked my home and my people!” A mini burst of heat emanates from her heels as it melts the ice away chunk by chunk. “So I will greet you the same way you greeted us!” The mysterious feline smirks in response.
“Oh? Someone’s hot tempered,” She does backflip up onto the head of the statue with ease before Blaze could break out. Her crystal blue irises just watch like an eagle soaring in the sky, intrigued by her new prey. “Just like the Sol Empire’s first king was. I really see the resemblance!"
“What do you know about Sol royalty-” Blaze’s burning glare slowly eases. It widens instead, noticing an emblem on the black cloak the girl was wearing. A blue, crescent moon – one she knew very well from lessons she was taught and books she read when she was a kitten. A look of disbelief overtakes. “You… it cannot be…” She takes a step back, her flames go out. “You’re from The Luna Empire…”
“As expected of the princess, I didn’t even have to tell you. Though, you would have known earlier if you allowed me to finish talking...” She sighs. “Well now that you figured that out, allow me to reintroduce myself. I’m Blizzard the Cat, princess of the lost Luna Empire!”