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They were like birds tumbling through the air, their wings slamming against each other as their claws raked at the scales that were now slick with blood and mud. Jack had run with horror from the place where Ianto had transformed and raged, coming onto the Plass where the rest of the team were already running for the battleground, Owen hefting a gun as he screamed with rage.

Jack stopped and looked up.

It was beautiful, like a dance as they twirled and pirouetted, only the occasional scale flung off into the air to remind them that this was a fight to the death.

Ianto had his claws sunk into Gordane's chest as he angled his wings and forced them both down towards the Plass once more, Gordane screaming as he tried to tear at Ianto's wings with his jaws.

Jack ran for a corner where the impact zone would be and waited, feeling as well as seeing the immense crunch of dragon as they hit, Ianto collapsing onto Gordane with a puff of flame, Gordane now screaming with pain as he felt the area exposed burning, only now realising Ianto had torn some scales from his chest.

Then Myfanwy was there, pushing Ianto aside as she thrust her beak down into the chest cavity and Gordane gave a gargling cry of terror as he saw too late that he has not just challenged Ianto, he had challenged the Royal line.

Ianto staggered back panting as his belly undulated, the little one within also struggling with the force of the battle. Gordane's eyes went to the movement and he saw that it was not a hatchling he had been scorning, but a little princeling and he looked up at the matriarch with a resigned grimace as her eyes met his and her beak closed over his heart, tearing it from his chest with a wet sloshing noise.

She stepped back, the heart pumping blood over the cobles as the black dragon convulsed and died, his scales turning to a dull burnt brownish black in death. Only the scales torn off while in flight shone on the cobbles around him, as did the few red.

Red.

Rubies.

Myfanwy swung with horror to look at her childe, finding him standing triumphantly watching, her head held high as he panted though his release. Four or five scales were missing from his flanks but seem insignificant as he glowed with pride making her feel renewed and young again for a moment, so like her mate with his handsome mane running up his neck to crest on his head like a mop of hair in the shape of a crown.

She dropped the heart and scuttled over as he bowed to kiss her and she chuffed on the crown of scales, delighted when they responded to the blood in her breath, glowing gold and sparking into the air.

Ianto reared back with shock as he blinked and looked at her, his eyes narrowing, "What did you just do?"

"Nothing" she replied, her raspy voice full of humour.

"Old Mother!"

"I pasted the mantle" she said softly, "It is time. Finally a youngling with the power to hold the title of my long since gone beloved. My Cariad. I pass the reins to you."

Ianto blinked, looking to the water tower where his reflection showed the gold crown of scales and he squeaked, one huge clawed forefoot coming up to clasp at his chest in an unmanly way and then he was gushing with glee, "Oh wow, so pretty."

She laughed at him for being so young, so pretty and then she lowered her head to croon as she placed a cheek to his belly and felt the one within respond, a hand sliding along the soft scales to caress her.

He had to be in power, this little prince had to be born of a king. It is the way of things.

Jack stood at the hole and looked down at the world below, dragons racing about with open fear, then he stated to laugh.

"Behold" he called down, "You are free, why hide. Why? Come up here, fly and be free. This is a time of peace, a time of plenty. Come on you beautiful creatures, come fly."

They exploded from the hole, eager to see their victor and they crowed as the crown glistened in the sunlight, Jack grinning as he answered his phone.

"Lizzie love, hey" He grinned, "Nah, just Dragons fighting, nothing bad. Nah, my fella. He smote him pretty good. Yeah, clean up aisle three, ya know? Huh? Awesome, Ianto does love high tea with you, he always gushes about your cups."

Jack closed the phone and slipped it back on to his pocket as he started to look at the clean up that would be required, then he saw Owen lift one of the ruby red scales and handing it off to Gwen with a wave of his hand, two more already on the stone.

Jack wondered if Ianto had seen and a soft chuff in his head agreed.

Look who is cleaning up the mess made by a team member now.