Wings of Fire: A Mage from Another World (PAUSED)

Ch. 28: Royals Reunited

"Mother!" Tsunami exclaimed and ran to the queen, immediately being met with a warm embrace. "My baby," Coral began, relief in her voice with each word spoken. "I knew you'd come back to me. I knew you were out there, trying to find your way back." Coral's hug then tightened slightly, showing her love for her daughter, but also her strength as the queen. "I never stopped searching for you." As Coral finished, Tsunami felt herself holding the larger Seawing tighter. She couldn't be happier now that she had found her mother.  "Someone does want me," Tsunami thought, closing her eyes with a smile. "I have a place in the world."

"Mother! You pulled me too hard!" a higher pitched voice rang out, and as she opened her eyes to look at the source of the voice Tsunami saw a younger female dragonet. She had pale blue scales with pale pink wing membranes, talon webs and back fin. She also had pearls on her, but they seemed to be made in a way that resembled a harness. Following the leash, Tsunami saw that the small dragonet's harness was connected to Coral's. "Who is that?" Tsunami asked, watching as the harnessed dragonet slowly made her way over to herself and Coral, who only smiled. "This is your sister, Anemone."

Sister.

Tsunami was surprised but a bit disappointed, knowing she has a sister, who might as well be her rival. "And, Anemone. This is your sister, the one who was stolen. Isn't she gorgeous?" Coral introduced her, but neither Seawing dragonet said anything. "Uh oh, maybe our fearless leader is not destined to be queen after all." Glory said in a low voice, but not quite a whisper. Starflight frowned as he watched the three royals, but did not say anything.

"That could have been me." Tsunami thought, her ears drooping as she watched her mother inspecting Anemone's hurt talon. "I could have been the one with the pearls and a throne and a mother who loved me." She then frowned at the pearls adorning Anemone. "Starflight had said that all of mother's other daughters had died! The one time he's wrong! Why does it have to be about this?" The Nightwing rubbed his head awkwardly as he shot Tsunami an apologetic look. The Seawing then scanned her sister, huffing slightly. "Well, she doesn't look very strong anyway. I could definitely beat her." She then paused and shook her head, removing those thoughts from her head.

This is her sister. Her family.

"Hi. I'm Tsunami." She said softly, holding a talon out to Anemone who put her smaller talon on hers. "Hi." "'Tsunami' is a good name. Webs did one thing right." Coral stated, turning her gaze towards Riptide with a growl. "Where is he now? I have been planning his punishment for years." She then lowered her tone to a low hiss. "It won't be a quick one."

"Please don't hurt Webs!" Sunny pleaded as she hopped towards the queen, looking at her with a pleading look. "Sunny-!" Phoenix hissed nervously, but the small Sandwing kept going. "He was the only one who was really nice to us." "What in the three moons are you?" Coral growled, then looked up and her expression changed. "WHY ARE THERE MUDWINGS AND A SKYWING IN MY SUMMER PALACE?!" she yelled while pointing a talon at Clay, Permafrost and Phoenix. Clay took a step back while Permafrost his under his wing. Phoenix gulped, watching as Seawing guards were now surrounding them.

Luckily Tsunami stepped in for them, not wanting her friends to get hurt. "I promise you, we're the Dragonets of Destiny." One guard laughed, glaring at Clay. "Oh, I see. That was the rumor." Coral said, looking at each dragonet then to her daughter. "Dragonets of Destiny. Queen Blister will be so interested to meet you." She then waved a wing at the guards. "Put these six in the caves and set a guard."

"W-what!? But we came here to be safe! Not to be prisoners again!" Sunny cried out, backing up towards Glory who hissed while spreading her wings. "Nobody touches me!" "Wait!" Tsunami yelled, but the guards were closing in around her friends. She then turned to the pea green Seawing. "Gill do something! You're an important general, right?!" "I-"

The guards paused, turning to the two Seawings with disbelief and shock. They then began to whisper among themselves, wanting confirmed to what they heard. Gill seemed nervous but also relieved, yet his head was held low. "G-Gill? Is it... really you?" Coral whisper, walking over to the two, trying her best to not break down. Tsunami watched her mother with a puzzled look, then turned to Anemone who was watching the male Seawing with wide eyes. Gill gave a small smile, raising his head to look into Coral's eyes. He was then pulled into an embrace by the queen, who let out a shaky breath. "I thought I lost you." she whispered, feeling as Gill returned the gesture. "You won't lose me."

Tsunami cleared her throat, reminding the her mother that she was still here. Coral turned to her, smiling softly while holding Gill. "I'll explain down at the council, dear. For now," she handed Gill to a couple of guards. "Take him to the infirmary, he looks dry." she ordered to the guards, staring at Gill's slightly dull scales with worry. As they left, she gave the same gesture to the guards. "To the caves." "Wait. Please, mother." Tsunami pleaded, taking a step towards Coral. "I brought them here so you could protect us." "That's what I'm doing, dear. Most of my dragons will attack if they see Mudwings, Skywings, or unfamiliar Sandwings." Shark then scoffed, glancing bitterly at Sunny and Permafrost. "Or whatever those two are."

"I guess this means no feast?" Clay asked sadly, the thought of no food upsetting him. "Lagoon. Make sure our guests are well fed." Coral ordered, then let out a small chuckle. "See darling. We'll take good care of you all." "You don't have to tie them up," Tsunami said, "They'll go with you."

"Speak for yourself." Glory hissed lowly, but Phoenix placed a talon on her shoulder and shook his head, telling her to not argue. Tsunami glanced back at the Rainwing, her ears pinned back nervously. "You heard the queen, Glory. Please calm down. It's for your own safety." The Seawing whispered, mentally praying that Glory doesn't argue with her in front of her mother. The rain dragonet sighed, lowering her wings. "Alright. I'll go, but I still say nobody touches me." Coral shrugged and waved her off along with the guards. "Fair enough. Off you all go, then."

"I'll be alright." Tsunami reassured her friends, who were being lead off to the caves. "I'll come join you soon." "You better." Phoenix said playfully, taking off behind Clay and Sunny. Permafrost gave her one last grin before following his cousin and friends. Tsunami waved at them, slowly lowering her talon as she began to get nervous for them. She was fearing their safety.

"You're so unadorned, my beautiful daughter." Coral sighed and began to pull off one of the pearl necklaces. "I have to start making up for all the presents I missed giving you." She then moved the necklace around Tsunami's head, gently placing it around her neck before inspecting the larger pearl. Tsunami looked down at it with awe, running a claw over the smooth round surface carefully. It was her first treasure. Slowly her worries faded away, as she knew her friends would be fine.

"Could we... talk alone?" Coral nodded at her daughter's request, holding her dragonet close. "Of course. Guards, you are dismissed. Shark, send a message to Queen Blister and see how soon she can get here." The guards all nodded and flew away, leaving Riptide behind. Coral growled and glared at him, making the male flinch and back away. "As for you, creature. Go back to your outpost and stay there until somebody actually wants to see you." With that, Riptide flew off and left the royals alone.

Tsunami hummed, disappointed that Riptide had to leave. "What's wrong with Riptide? I thought he was nice." Coral then shook her head, huffing. "Oh, no. He can't be trusted. Webs is his father, their bloodline is tainted with betrayal." "Right.. Riptide is Web's son.." Tsunami reminded herself mentally, frowning with disappointment at knowing who his father was. But it was not his fault his father turned traitor, although unfortunately Coral still blames him. It would have been nicer if Riptide told her who his father was himself instead of Starflight revealing it.

But one thing is clear. Tsunami kind of still wants to see him again.