Reply to Guest (review ch.1): Thanks! I always found Verago a fascinating character on the show. He deserves a history so things are explained, like the age difference between Skylar and Nico but also his mate. But even though he and Myra are a couple, she isn't queen yet. Also, I won't release spoilers. That wouldn't be fun :)


Skylar looks at his mother with increasing anticipation. Both just finished a morning routine in the making: flying around the Palace a couple of times each morning to get Skylar acquainted with the area. The yellow-and-blue cub likes spending his time out here. There's always so much to see and do: places to explore and play at, or observe all kinds of species taking residence here. But now that they're back inside the Palace something else starts occupying the cub's mind…

"We play!" Skylar calls out to his mother vibrantly.

Myra notices Skylar's alacrity. He isn't tired from this morning ritual in the slightest. "Already? We did not even have breakfast yet… Then again, you always like making fun, mijo. Hihi, but if you like playing before breakfast so much then so do I. What about a game of – hmm, hide-and-seek?"

"Yeah!" Skylar agrees zestfully.

"Okay then, time to get my sore wings flapping again… Ooh! I see your father coming. He will want to play this game with you.' Myra says happily feeling relieved of not having to fly for the time being and hastily adds, 'Go and hide. I will tell him to go look for you. Hurry now!"

Little Skylar darts away with Myra chuckling over his exuberant behaviour. He's fond of playing hide-and-seek. It never becomes tiresome to him. On the contrary, playing these kinds of games always energises the cub and this makes Skylar feel alive and kicking. In this state of mind, it matters not who he plays with: be it his parents, the opinionated little Luna, or the nervous yellow-and-orange youngster Migs, whom Skylar sometimes believes is letting him win on purpose. He likes playing with all of them equally as much.

While Skylar is busy hiding himself to the best of his abilities, Verago approaches Myra. She can tell he's not in the best of moods: his unfocused gazing and his mien betraying boredom… Yet, the way he walks towards her shows something different entirely. He strides with a certain elegance and self-assurance, as he's known to do. It's in his nature, exactly how she knows him best. Seeing him walk like this always fuels the white-and-blue jaquin with longing for him. Thus she sends him a coy smile, which ends his gazing and he smiles back at her. "Hi, darling! It always pleases me greatly to see you again. And seeing you walk with such grace. Just looking at you… Hmm-mm.' Myra states delightfully and seductively bites her lower lip but refrains from further flirting upon seeing Verago glancing at her uneasily, 'Sooo – how was the debate with your fellow generals?"

Normally, Verago doesn't mind her acting flirtatious. He likes this for it sparks his attention and desire for her. At times, it can even arouse him which he's absolutely fine with. He would even return the gesture if not finding himself inside the grand hallway. Expressing his love for her within this public space, with eyes everywhere, is making him somewhat uncomfortable. Instead, Verago groans irritably of what he'd endured this morning and explains himself: "It was dull. We evaluated the intrusion of Marimonda. That went quite well. Opting ideas on how to prevent this from happening in the future, however, was rather tedious."

"How so?"

"Well, the other generals were their usual selves again. Zephyr is always being reserved in his approach on any issue while, as usual, Thunder tends to jump into the fray. Luckily, I convinced them that king Corona should seek advice from Quita Moz. So, that is where he is now heading with Miguella and Diestáy. Otherwise, I would be stuck in that boring discussion still. Nevertheless, it took longer than expected so I now have an urge of doing something else entirely."

"Excellent. This calls for some relaxation then. As a matter of fact, your hijo has just started a game of hide-and-seek. He will love it if you can play with him. Go find him." Myra opts while giving him a naughty look.

Verago returns the favour by giving the white-and-blue jaquin a teasing one. These little back-and-forth expressions they often give one another are their way of exchanging affection. "He always likes that game, though he is not quite good at it – yet. Will be back in a whim." he says with a smirk before starting his search for Skylar.

Verago starts strolling through the grand hallway. He has a clear indication as to where little Skylar might be hiding. After all, the cub's number of hiding spots inside the Palace aren't many. One time, he was simply hiding directly behind his mother. Verago had to pretend not to see him for a while, just to have that particular game last for a bit. Today isn't really any different, because it doesn't take the black jaquin long before spotting his yellow-and-blue son. He decides to play along and clears his throat: "Ah, now where could my son be? I think he hid really well this time."

Though his head isn't visible to Verago, Skylar's little body is hidden in plain sight. The cub had decided to hide behind one of the support columns inside this hallway. They are massive to the little jaquin and, therefore, make for a perfect hiding spot… Or so he thinks. Being more feline than bird, instinct tells jaquins that if unable to see others means being completely invisible to them. Hiding from each other is something jaquins thus never quite excel at.

Nonetheless, little Skylar believes he's doing a great job. Having heard Verago thinking out loud, he knows his father is nearby and this makes him wait with bated breath.

"Found you!" Verago suddenly says while standing right behind his son.

Skylar startles and releases a playful scream as he flies away from behind the support column. Verago quickly goes after him and catches his son with both paws extended. He then hugs him and says amiably: "I believe it is time…"


By now and at some distance from the Palace, two jaquins firmly stand side by side with their heads held high. Whilst completely still as if frozen in time, Miguella and Diestáy have their eyes fixated on what they deem yet another adversary of the realm. Both siblings often so position themselves like this whenever they're inside a confined space; this now being a dark and deep cave, poorly illuminated as only a few rays of sunlight manage to creep this far into this subsurface environment. Without saying a single word, they observe carefully what is peering back at them from within the darkness ahead: two large gloomy and white eyes, with round and black pupils. Seemingly vigilant, these eyes don't blink at all and remain focused on Miguella and Diestáy. It seems its owner is intrigued or otherwise interested in both jaquins.

With utmost caution, Miguella whispers to her brother: "It definitely is taller …"

"… than us.' Diestáy completes her quietly and briefly eyes Miguella before adding, 'It is watching you, Milla."

"Uh-uh. It is definitely focused on you, brother."

The moment she speaks those words, Diestáy starts taking a few steps back slowly and carefully. "What are you doing?" Miguella hisses at her brother.

He eyes his sister once more, yet this time prompting her to do the same while opting quietly: "Making sure not to get caught by a surprise attack."

Just as he's done speaking, a crackling sound starts echoing throughout the cave out of a sudden. Something starts slithering past the walls with an abrasive motion. At this moment, it seems as if the cave is about to collapse in on itself. Yet, there's no rumbling felt or falling debris heard. The only thing both jaquins observe is the pair of white eyes that has started moving; they're coming at them at an unprecedented speed! Filled with anxiety and with ample time to respond, both Miguella and Diestáy feel highly threatened by this situation. They bare their claws, ready to strike at this engaging foe. Miguella starts screaming in terror as those eyes are about to meet hers…

A flying serpent swiftly flies out of the cave and into daylight, dragging both jaquin siblings with it on its way out. Firmly holding onto the serpentine body, a disoriented Miguella and Diestáy try to get a grip on reality, while their eyes try readjusting to daylight.

"Quita Moz!" a deep voice calls out to the ancient sunbird.

Quita Moz playfully performs a few barrel rolls and looping before approaching the purple-and-blue jaquin king. Corona follows Quita Moz's every movement and, in between some of Miguella's screams, asks: "Will – you let my – children be?"

"Even with the power of foresight, there was fun in this. After all, these two weren't the ones who saw this coming.' Quita Moz replies wittily and chuckles before placing both jaquin siblings on the ground, 'Good to see you again, king Corona, though it was predicted."

"That may be so, but then you must also know why I came here." Corona states with a serious voice and glance.

"I do, my old amigo. The Flames foretold your presence – and a few concerns, trepidation perhaps. Yes, we have much to discuss…"


Just outside of the Palace, Verago and Myra have finally decided to take the trip with Skylar. They arrive at a nest, one the yellow-and-blue cub has never been before. Upon landing inside it, he immediately notices a jaquin he'd also never seen before. This jaquin is a tad bigger than Verago but otherwise seems equal in appearance, also bearing black fur and having a crest around his neck though it consists of matured feathers and is a darker shade of green.

Verago moves over to that jaquin and sits down next to him. Both nod at each other before setting their gaze upon Skylar. In his turn, the yellow-and-blue cub is filled with wonder as he looks back and forth between his father and the other jaquin; they look almost identical!

Verago expresses a heartfelt smile before clearing his throat. "Skylar. This is the first time you see this other jaquin. This is your abuelo. His name is Primavega. He is my father." Verago states with pride.

Primavega looks at Skylar with an austere look on his face. He waits until Skylar makes eye contact with him again, after which a huge grin appears on his face. "So this is my grandson. I was wondering when I would get to meet him. Now that I finally see him, I must express my happiness for the two of you. I wonder if he becomes as big and strong as you are, son.' he says lovingly but turns to a more serious tone, 'But, as you might have noticed as well, he fails to share our fur colour."

Verago remains silent for a brief moment. He clears his throat once more. "Father, we have been through this. Not at this moment, please, and not in front of my son."

"What is wrong with stating the obvious?" Primavega asks resentfully.

"You know my mate Myra. There was a chance my child would acquire a more common fur colour.' Verago says defensively but turns more firmly, 'Nonetheless, he is special. We are blessed with him. I believe, and dare say, he is to become a great jaquin one day."

"Like his father." Myra states affectionately in an attempt to lessen the tension.

"Myra, will you take Skylar out of this nest?' Verago asks his white-and-blue mate calmly and when she does he turns to Primavega again, 'Why, father?"

"You know very well the specialness of our fur colour. None but our lineage carries this pride. I am the third generation of this ancestry; you are its fourth, Verago. It is therefore not something I am willing to give up on so easily. This makes us special, unique even. In this, I foresee many generations to come that bring forth black fur. I dearly hope you share my vision, son."

"I know your interest in our lineage. Like you, I share this pride. I feel unique… and so should Skylar. Though he bears a different fur colour, I will care for him endlessly. I refuse to think of him as less. Nothing shall come between me – and my family."

"I will never say such a thing about my grandson. Never… You must know better. All I say is that there is still hope. You know what must be done."

Verago feels uneasy. The way his father is prompting his black-furred son to provide him with a similar furred grandson seems ill-mannered. As if he's not worth the legacy for as long as the cycle isn't complete. It makes Verago snort as he watches his father turn around to take to the skies. Primavega immediately stops. He stands motionless for a mere second. "I heard that…" he replies surly before flying away.

Verago exits the nest also and joins with Myra and Skylar. He glares after Primavega before looking at his son, his eyes filled with sorrow. Skylar looks back at his father with his eyes enlarged. "Papá okay?" he asks cautiously.

Myra looks at Verago uneasily. This conversation clearly didn't go as expected. She sort of feels helpless, unable in supporting him when he needed it most. The way Verago glared at his own father like that. She can tell there's an inner conflict at play. One that needs to be resolved.