5- The Meeting of Powers
How will Rift react to the new government?
A/N: Two chapters up this week because why not?
Review response to Darklightergryphon: If I'm to be honest, Kara was originally based on my ex, and so tends to act similarly. She has her moments of being an alpha and other moments where she is really sweet. She will tone down her harshness, with her mind set on other things. Also, that potion was a reference to a one shot lemon I wrote many years ago involving said potion.
Special announcement: Sithy and I have finally finished a collaboration that started when we first met. It is a lemon featuring Rift and Kara shortly after Resurrection, named Nightmares & Fantasies. I'll be posting it next week along with chapter 6 of Downfall!
"You're joking." Rift pleaded as he looked into his cousin's amethyst eyes. "You let them decide on something this important without Kara and I? This isn't a small deal Silvus!" The fire drake was fuming. The last thing he expected to happen in his absence was Warfang becoming a monarchy.
Silvus held his paws up defensively. "Calm down, I know it's a bit much to take in. At the rate the protests were going, there wasn't going to be a city left when you got back. There is still time before full power goes to her, but I do understand cousin. Her blood lines up, but there is no record of her parents. I'll keep up my investigations." He looked at Kara and Sithris before turning back to Rift. "She asked for you at the Palace, if you find any information, let me know." With a flap of his wings, the silver drake took off, leaving the three dragons standing there.
Rift sighed as he turned and nuzzled his mates. "Just as we were getting used to the dull, something else happens." He smiled slightly at Sithris' chuckle, all three knowing it was the truth. "Guess we better get started."
"Sithy." He started. "If at all possible, try to get that teleporter done in a few days. The sooner we can get Spyro and Cynder to assist Alex, the sooner they'll return. With this new government, I'd prefer they be here if anything happens."
The electric dragon giggled and kissed Rift, giving him a salute. "Derp, yes derp!" Earning an eye roll from the Guardian, he wagged and sped off.
Kara gave her orange mate a hug and sighed. "I'll head to the Temple and let the other Guardians know that we're not happy with them doing this without us. Try not to get too heated." She looked to the temple and padded in it's direction.
Rift sighed as he looked in the direction of the Palace. It was a brick structure capped with a tall golden spire only slightly shorter than the temple. The walk was only a few minutes, with a few dragons giving the Fire Guardian a bow, while many stayed away from him.
Two heavily armed Panthers stood guard at the front, bringing flashbacks of Rift and Sithris being ambushed many years ago. The orange drake shook himself. He was about to announce himself when the large cats silently moved their weapons, allowing him access. He ventured inside, admiring the statues of royalty forever ingrained in history. The last was still a slab of marble, slowly being chopped away at by a well-fed mole.
Finally, he saw the dragoness he was summoned by. The blue 'ness was sat upon a golden throne, gold jewellery wrapped around her ankles. If anyone was to live up to the dragons with riches stereotype, she was the one. Her head perked up as she saw the Fire Guardian approach. "Normally, a visitor would bow before their queen."
Rift smirked, she had an air of superiority. "Normally a visitor is a Warfang citizen, I'm not. I simply work here, Ma'am. You asked for me?"
The Queen nodded slowly. "Well said Guardian Riften Myclonis. My name is Shara, I knew your father when I was a hatchling. He was strong and kind and brave. It's a shame what happened to him."
The fire drake thought back to Void's sacrifice and the pain of losing his mental link with him. "My dad was a great dragon. His sacrifice may have been in vain, but he did what he felt was best." Rift was very close with his father, being the only parent he had.
Shara raised a brow. "I don't think it was in vain. Here you are now, Fire Guardian…" She glanced at the gold ring at the base of his tail. "And mated. I think this was exactly what he intended. I also knew your mother a bit. Ravine, a beautiful 'Ness. How did she die?"
Rift looked at the ground. "My dad never told me about her. I only know a little from listening in on conversations." The orange dragon felt guilt as long-buried memories surfaced. "She died giving birth to my egg. In a way… I killed her…"
The turquoise dragoness stepped down from her throne and placed a paw on his shoulder. "Don't blame yourself, it happens sometimes. She was needed with the Ancestors." She smiled as he slowly lifted his head. "I have a surprise for you."
With a snap, another dragon stepped into view. This one was a massive male, bigger even than Terrador. He had bright red scales with a black underbelly, runes covering his body. A scar on one side of his scarlet eyes. Two stubs remained of where horns were once shattered.
Rift's eyes went wide before narrowing with hate. He jumped back in an attack stance. The dragon was one he was well acquainted with. "You were banished Carmine. Leave now before I do it myself."
Shara stood between them and smiled as the large dragon bowed. She looked back at Rift. "The Carmine you knew is gone. He's been with me since his banishment, learning the errors of his ways. He has no ill-intentions for you or your mate, and I have reversed his banishment."
The red drake lowered his head and sighed. "Master Rift, I deeply apologise for how I've treated everyone. I despised that a youngling had become Fire Guardian when I had spent my life trying to take the position. I then took your accidental scarring of my eye as a personal attack, so when you went to find your mate, I took my temporary guardianship too far. I attacked you, tortured your mate, and got paid back in him carving these markings into my scales. I tried to end one of the greatest alliances with the cheetahs, and you rightfully shattered my horns and banished me. I wanted you dead, but Queen Shara showed me my wrong doings. I am so sorry."
Rift stared at the larger male. This dragon couldn't be Carmine, could he? The same dragon that has taken pleasure in pushing blades into the flesh of his Sithris. The same dragon that intended to kill him and forcibly take Kara for himself. The fire drake could not accept it.
"Apology not accepted." The temperature around the Guardian rose. "After everything you've done, you think I can just forgive you and walk away?" Fire surrounded his paws. "You locked me up and made me listen to Sithris beg me to save him as you tortured him." The carpet under him ignited. "You threatened the lives of everyone I hold dear." He couldn't hold his voice back any longer. "I SHOULD FUCKING KILL YOU WHERE YOU STAND!" A wave of flame exploded around him, nearly burning the other two dragons alive.
Rift panted and growled as he stared at Carmine. "You stay away from my family or I swear not even Malefor can compete with what I do to you." He swung his head to Shara. "We're done here, Queen." The enraged dragon made his way out of the Palace before stopping at the entrance. "And it's Riften Myclonis-Agon. I have two mates."