Thunder's command has all of the Skyguard who aren't entangled by the slithering vines spread their wings and extend their claws instantly. They stand prepared, ready to move into battle!
At that moment all suddenly start hearing a rather cute giggling. It's one that has an innocent tone to it, a sound they know well and which isn't to be found cute at all. Most of the Skyguard look up to wherever the mischievous sound is originating from. They indeed find Marimonda. She's standing on a vine high above them that's overhanging at the end of the grand hallway, a long corridor with a high ceiling connecting the main entrance of the Palace with its throne room. Clothed in green leaves with parts of her messy green hair and light green skin exposed, this forest sprite manipulates the world around her using plant life to do her bidding. Though she appears frail through her thin body, Marimonda doesn't seem afraid. Instead, she looks onto the colourful yet disorganised bunch of jaquins below and grins deviously. She clearly wants something and says to them: "I would like to sit around and play, but I get the feeling that you don't want me to stay. I already caught a jaquin or three, and my trusty vines will keep them from getting free, tee-hee."
Zephyr roars fiercely at her. His face displays anger as he demands to know: "What business do you have here? Explain yourself!"
Marimonda giggles once more and sits down on the vine, indicating a sense of easement as if not feeling threatened in the presence of hostile jaquins. "Oh, I can tell silly old you, yet some thinking will have your mind speak true. But since none of you dares to jump into this fray, let me tell you anyway. Some time ago I could go into the realm of Avalor, but since you built that portal I can go there no more. One of you will open it for me as you know how, even if I need to take someone with me now."
"You shall take none of us! And you will not enter Avalor! We will not let you… Leave now or face the consequences!" Thunder bellows at her from the ground below.
After taking to flight to approach Marimonda with two of the Skyguard following, the silver-and-gold jaquin suddenly notices a youngster entering the scene. This one looks similar to Thunder yet bears purple sideburn feathers and flight secondaries, while its primaries and fur pattern are golden. Her purple eyes look bleary, indicating she'd just woken up. The commotion happening inside the grand hallway, including the yelling, is to blame. She stretches her wings and yawns, clearly unaware of Marimonda's presence. Before anyone can order her to stay clear of the looming threat above, two swift vines reach for the youngster. "Tornado!" Thunder shouts as he swoops towards her.
The silver-and-gold jaquin lands in between the youngster and the incoming vines. He quickly slashes one and bites the other. Unfortunately for him, the slashed vine isn't badly damaged and it entangles the silver-and-golden jaquin. It presses him against the floor. Tornado startles and jumps back, watching Thunder squirm as he fights to regain his freedom.
"Thunder is down! Aid him now!" Zephyr demands.
Verago, who just returned from the royal bed-chamber to inform king Corona and his family of the situation, is the first to arrive together with Miguella and Diestáy. Using their fearsome bite, all three quickly manage to rescue Thunder from his midnight struggle. In the meantime, some members of the Skyguard start attacking Marimonda to chase her out of the Palace. However, the ill-tempered forest sprite doesn't seem impressed and commands the vines nearest to her with the use of some simple hand gestures. These vines all entangle the incoming jaquins in midair. Verago looks back at Zephyr and shouts: "We need a different tactic!"
Zephyr nods. He looks around quickly and takes in whoever of the Skyguard is with him and what options he has left. "Miguella, you with me! Have some come with us!" Zephyr commands hurriedly.
He presses the footplate in front of the throne and takes to flight, leaving the Palace through the hatch in the roof of the throne room with Miguella and four of the Skyguard. Marimonda giggles at what she observes. Feeling amused by this, she says mockingly: "Ah, look at them flee, now there's fewer of you left here, tee-hee. But playtime is over now I have caught enough of you, because there's a portal I need venturing through. I only need to pick one to help me with this, without any of you trying to scratch or hiss. Ta-ta!"
While she speaks her rhyme, Zephyr flanks Marimonda from behind as he enters through the main entrance. First, they swiftly destroy some of the vines coming into the Palace. They then take Marimonda by surprise and wrap her up tightly to prevent her from making any more gestures with her hands. As the jaquins wheeze from the exhausting midnight battle, an illustrious purple-and-blue jaquin emerges from the royal bedchamber. This one, like Zephyr during his life as chief, bears a mane. "Good, good.' king Corona says with alacrity as he enters the grand hallway cautiously, 'That was excellent work! I am very much pleased: you fill me with dignity and pride… As for you, Marimonda. You better believe me when I say that this is the last time you ever set foot inside our beloved Palace. We will cast you out of this place, one way or another. Just as we shall do with Chatana…"
Now the fight is over, Marimonda is taken far away from the Palace and into a barren region in the northwest where little plant life flourishes. Those who remain inside the Palace begin inspecting it for leftover plant material and starts removing them. Some members of the Skyguard are ordered to patrol the surrounding area in search of any hostilities. Zephyr decides to do so as well. When he gets near the entrance of the Palace, he starts hearing a soft hooting coming from outside the main entrance. Slowly and cautiously, the grey jaquin walks over towards it. He approaches it slowly; the sound heard triggers a memory in him of having heard this sound before when it belonged to one of Chatana's creatures. However, this time that sound seems a little different…
"Got you!"
Two high-pitched and distinctly different screams start erupting from two small creatures in front of the grey jaquin general, two creatures he'd definitely seen before. The screams are made of both surprise and a little agony as Zephyr holds the creatures by an ear each. Both jaquin cubs try looking up while bearing painful expressions. They went outside after Marimonda was taken away and sat down around the corner just outside of the Palace's main entrance, producing fake sounds. This much is clear to the grey jaquin. "I could have known; Tudor and Dióntan… What are the two of you doing here? Tell me, quickly now."
"Make-ing noi-ses…" Dióntan replies cautiously while groaning due to a painful ear.
"Let go!" Tudor begs.
"Not yet. You should not be here when it is dangerous outside! How many times did your parents tell you this?" Zephyr inquires through an austere voice.
"Too ma-ny!" the first yells.
"Hmph, clearly still not enough. Now, go to your parents and get to sleep. It is too late for the two of you to be awake and outside at this hour. Off you go!" Zephyr comments and lets go of the cubs' ears.
"You mean!" Tudor shouts angrily at Zephyr.
"I can show you mean." the grey jaquin states and releases a faked growl that has both cubs startle and dart back inside the Palace.
Meanwhile, Thunder directs his attention to his Tornado. "You alright, mija?" he inquires using an unmoved voice.
Tornado looks away, avoiding eye contact as she says cautiously: "I failed you, father."
"Hmm, you did. I taught you to be brave, to decide immediately during a battle. Anything can happen and this depends on whoever strikes first."
"Yes, papá.' Tornado replies submissively and looks at Thunder before adding, 'I need more learning to do, and I will! Next time, I will be ready. Promise…"
A few days after the incident with Marimonda, Myra notices how Verago grows restless. His increasing pacing, the often worried looks, and more quiet behaviour are now easy to be picked up. "So, have you spoken with him? I am eager to know when he is going to see our little Skylar for the very first time."
Verago looks at Myra. A troubling look betrays a certain uneasiness that's brewing inside of him, and this clearly has been the case for a few days now. He groans of displeasure, not knowing how to respond to her question. "What is wrong? You can just tell me instead of acting like that. It is not helping anyone, you know. And stop pacing back and forth when we talk."
The black jaquin stops moving around in circles and slowly looks up at his mate. "I know… But what I want to say will sound silly." he says slowly.
Myra places a white paw of hers onto his cheek and forces him to make eye contact with her. "Nothing will ever sound silly to me. You are my mate. We will support each other, always, whenever and however we can. And we will shield each other from whatever hinders us."
Verago puts his forehead against Myra's, making their forehead and nose touch. He closes his eyes. Not having to think of any problems when he's focused on her like this makes him release a soft sigh of relief. Myra enjoys this moment also. The exchange of affection for each other gives rise to a sensation of mellowness. Yet, she knows better. This behaviour of his is one of avoidance and she won't be fooled that easily. "Well, talk to me." she demands of him softly with a rather stern touch to her voice.
Verago groans once more but releases a soft chuckle afterwards as she knows him so well. "It is about – my father. About now is the time he should see Skylar. He is entitled to meeting his grandson, as is Skylar to meeting his abuelo for the first time. Though I am thrilled about it and am looking forward to it, I am also afraid of how he will react when laying eyes upon his grandson… I do not want Skylar to feel miserable about whatever my father might say during their first meeting."
"I know what you mean. I truly do. It pains me how your father feels about this legacy thing. Of course, there is nothing wrong about being proud of th-"
"The point is that his sense of pride can stand in the way between his vision on his and my legacy and my – our Skylar. Skylar is your and my legacy, not his. It feels as if he wants to ignore this somehow."
"Look at you now. An assertive and great general, yet afraid of his own father." Myra says and releases some hearty giggles.
"Please, stop mocking me." Verago states as a plea.
"You should loosen up, darling. Neither fear nor regret will make you feel calm and strong."
Verago looks deeper into her blue eyes. Somehow, doing so always sends a feeling of security and ecstasy coursing through him. It makes him realise once again that his mate will always be here for him, supporting him and nourishing him whenever the need arises. The least he can do in return is open up to her like she's currently demanding of him.
This has the white-and-blue jaquin retract her face from his and shake it slightly, after which she says: "If I may say this, your father can be stubborn. But so can you. This clearly is something the two of you share. But casting this aside, let me give you some advice, soothsayer to general. Go talk to your padre. Prepare him for what he soon will come to see. Undoubtedly, he will be fond of meeting our Skylar. After all, his son is a father himself now. Even though he might not like what he will see the first time, every jaquin I know, be it mother or father, will be thrilled in meeting their grandchildren for the first time. In a given time, even your father will. Trust me."
"You are right, my love… You are always right." Verago comments affectionately as he eyes her tenderly.
"Good to have your sensual self back, sweetheart. Now, let us enjoy the days ahead as we do normally…' she says affectionately and lowers her eyelids likewise, 'Because Skylar has been playing a lot lately with Luna and this nervous yellow youngster… eh, Migs. So you have some catching up to do, hihi."
