Skylar prepares himself for a new adventure: moving to Avalor. Will leaving behind Vallestrella be a simple task?

Morning has set in. The Palace stands in gold as early morning rays shine both onto and into the Palace. Inside, a Jaquin wakes up. He stretches his front legs followed by the rear ones, and then his wings. The sounds made doing so wakes up another Jaquin closeby. "Good morning, father." Skylar says greeting Verago.

Verago yawns. He feels sleepy still, after having stayed up longer last night than he'd expected. "Ah… Morning, Skylar." he says wearily.

Skylar suddenly realises his father might bring up his late arrival of last night. He tries to think of something to say that might distract him. However, Verago doesn't bring anything up. Instead, he licks his right paw three times and starts washing his face. Skylar releases an inaudible sigh. Then something comes to mind and he energetically asks: "So, when are you going to address the King's Guards?"

After yawning one more time, Verago calmly replies: "About now."

"Sweet!"

Right after Skylar exclaims this word he hears some rumbling in the nest. He looks behind him and sees Nico moving about slowly, and greets him as well: "Morning, Nico!"

Getting no reply as Nico's still waking up, Skylar walks out of the cave home, followed by his father walking sluggish yet majestic. Skylar goes to stand on a ledge that is the tip of the throne, from which he can oversee the entire throne room. He notices the King's Guards having amassed together in front of the throne itself. They start forming a double row, standing in line and await their king to appear. "Everyone! I present to you, my father, the king!" Skylar says both loud and proud.

His voice echoes little across the throne room, while he moves his left paw in a presenting manner towards Verago who's approaching him. "Enough, Skylar.' Verago says again calmly and goes to stand beside his son, 'I need you to go and see Migs. Today is a very important day for you. As guardians to the realm of Avalor we are closely bonded with it and its people, and in particular its royal family. We need to help them as much as we can. It is an important part of our role as its protectors. That is why today I am sending you back into Avalor. There, you will mingle with members of that royal family. It is time for you to learn what it takes in becoming a leader."

"But I like it here! Dad, all my friends live here."

"Therefore I will have Migs accompany yo…"

Skylar interrupts him: "Migs? Of every one of my friends, you pick him? Again, dad! If have many friends here. I want the start of my new life to be adventurous, not boring…"

Verago: "Do not worry, Skylar. You will make new friends in Avalor, I am sure. The royal family welcomes you as one of their own. I want you to become a suitable prince and future ruler of our realm, Vallestrella. It may be easier for you if I send Luna to Avalor, too."

Skylar: "Why do I need to go there? Why can they not come here, father?"

"Because this is not their world. Our world is none of their business – anymore.' Verago says stern and sighs, 'How about this? You can tell your friends that come and go into the Palace all about it before you go to Avalor. Your friends will surely visit you from time to time."

"Yeah…' Skylar admits but then remembers something, 'I also have friends outside of the Palace! You know Zuni, Maya, and Lomo! They do not come in here…"

Verago grows agitated with Skylar's excuses and exclaims: "Enough! Skylar, you will do as I tell you."

Skylar looks angry at his father and yells: "If this what it means to become king, I pass!"

Skylar flies off with strong-flapping wings out of the throne room and into the grand hallway. Verago stays put and groans in discordance over Skylar's decision.

At the same time, Luna enters the Palace and lands inside the grand hallway. She spots other Jaquins arriving with her, and greets them briefly, including Tudor and Shaniqua, and Avira. She sees some of them move into several of the rooms under the walkways to acquire themselves breakfast. Most other Jaquins move onto the walkways, though, to take their positions. From there, they await their king during his morning ritual. This old ritual is well-known among the Jaquins. Verago will, like his predecessors, declare the start of each new day by gliding through the grand hallway, all the way from the throne room towards the brightened entrance, enveloped by golden morning rays. During this glide, he greets all Jaquins on the walkways, who in return greet him back. After he reaches the entrance the day officially commences and all Jaquins start their daily routines. Luna decides to position herself on a walkway closest to the throne room so she can observe the King's Guards from up there as Verago starts the ritual. However, she notices a Jaquin she wants a word with. "Morning, Dióntan.' Luna says happy and continues at a somewhat concerned tone, 'How is Veje doing, after what happened yesterday?"

Dióntan startles: "How… do you know?"

"Come on. News like this spreads quickly." Luna replies curtly.

"Hah, that is true… Well, he is doing much better now.' Dióntan says relieved, 'He cannot really move well yet. His wings hurt a little and his body feels sore still, so I am here to collect breakfast for both him and myself."

"Good to hear.' Luna says with a smile but reminds herself of something, 'So, that means Veje is not with the King's Guards?"

Dióntan nods and replies: "Correct. King Verago allowed him to sleep in."

"Okay. Say hi to him for me, will you?" Luna says uplifting.

While Dióntan moves toward one of the rooms underneath the right walkway he says back: "Will do!"

Luna, however, doesn't go into one of such rooms but instead walks towards the throne room. At that point, Skylar flies past her. "Ow, hi, Skylar!" she says happy to see him.

Skylar doesn't respond to her greeting and doesn't look at her, as if ignoring her entirely. He heads out of the Palace with Luna following him up with her eyes while thinking: *What is up with him?*

The moment this thought clears from her mind she startles a bit when hearing a voice call out to her, one that is quite familiar. She turns her head to where the voice originates from and finds Verago looking directly at her.

Verago just finished addressing the King's Guards from atop his throne, providing them with their daily tasks to fulfill. He grunts little, before hovering down to the floor, and from there starts approaching her. He looks serious. When Luna notices him approaching she becomes alert. Not only is he walking directly toward her, she also finds his eyes staring into hers. She immediately sits down both out of respect and indecision. "Luna. Can you stay with Skylar during his time in Avalor? He needs the company of someone that can keep him on course."

"Is that not why you sent Migs, king Verago?" Luna asks curiously.

"Yes,' Verago starts off his reply gruffly, 'but he cannot do this alone. Skylar demands a lot of attention now that I am preparing him for royal duties. Also, Migs has business in Avalor that needs tending."

"I am honoured, king Verago. I will do my best to keep an eye on your son – on prince Skylar." Luna says with respect by emphasising Skylar's title.

"You are highly loyal both to me and the clan, Luna. It pleases me.' Verago says in a calm tone and changes to a serious one, 'You must know, Skylar is full of life. If only he would understand the importance of loyalty and the responsibility that comes with it. Therefore having him spend time with the royal family of Avalor will make him do so."

In the meantime, Migs wakes up frantically. The leaves of his nesting tree rustle heavily. He looks around hastily, glancing through the nest and around it, trying to find out what's happening. *Is… the – tree falling over?* he nervously thinks.

Suddenly he spots a pair of sweet eyes looking at him. They belong to Dulce. She's looking at him intrinsically yet amiably from across the nest. "Good morning, sleepy! I was about to wake you up, but then Skylar came flying past our tree at an incredible pace. It made the leaves rustle. They woke you up for me, hihi." Dulce says softly.

Migs blinks and shakes his head once trying to wear off the groggy feeling he's experiencing. This sudden waking does leave its mark on him. Directing his attention back to Dulce he smiles at her heartily. "Ah, my sweet Dulce. Your loving gaze soothes my mind whenever I feel troubled. Those eyes, that smile, they truly are finest I will ever lay my eyes upon." he says with a sweet voice and blinks at her.

He then peers through the canopy that surrounds their nest entirely as he remembers something Dulce said: "That reminds me… Where did Skylar go? Verago would be the first to fly out, yet you mentioned only Skylar… I will see what is going on with him. I see you in the Palace shortly, Dulce." Migs says slowly and yawns once.

Eager to find out what's happening, he leaves the comforting warmth of his nest to go after Skylar. It doesn't take Migs long to spot him. Skylar's sitting on a ledge of the Palace. While approaching him he cordially says: "Good morning, Skylar! You seem quite awake. I bet you slept well last night."

Skylar audibly sighs. "I did… I do not want to talk about it.' Skylar starts off indignantly and hesitatingly adds, 'I guess I could have said things more clearly so there would not be a misunderstanding."

Migs gives those words a thought. As he does he observes Skylar, who shows an indignant posture. He then nods slowly and says calmly: "I understand what this is about. You and king Verago are quite different in age, in behaviour… Both of your roles here in Vallestrella even are different. Sometimes that causes friction. Most of the time, however, it does not. I know how this feels. I went through the same experience becoming a Navegera. I, too, had to change to embody my role more smoothly. In the end, this has nothing to do with misunderstanding, Skylar. It has to do with responsibility."

"Oh, you sound like my father. He would say the exact same thing." Skylar tuts.

"True…" Migs replies casually and nods.

While retaining the same posture, Skylar smirks: "The only difference is: you sound boring saying it."

Migs rolls his eyes before he says: "Next time, listen more closely to everything I say rather than only the first part."

"Huh, listen to what?' Skylar says and starts laughing as he pounds Mig's shoulder using his paw, 'Ah, just kidding!"

Migs groans audibly. He looks at him and cordially says: "Come on, Skylar. Get yourself something to eat before we go. After all, you are expected on the other side of the portal to Avalor. Besides, lingering near your father now will do you no good."

Skylar feels that's a reasonable solution, and nods at Migs. It makes him filled with both excitement and regret. He knows not how to deal with both these feelings at the same time. Deep down, he knows his father's right; it's going to be a special moment, becoming a diplomat to the royal family of Avalor. Yet, he feels all this is going too fast. He'll arrive in Avalor soon. *What will my friends think of me when I have vanished so suddenly? Will they understand? Luckily, Migs is with me. He always knows what to do. Chief Zephyr and Cruz are there, also. I know them as well…* Skylar ponders.

Then he looks at Migs, who in turn is gazing at him as if waiting for something. Before Skylar can say anything, Migs asks: "Are you ready?"

Skylar nods slowly. Somehow saying this Migs gives him a secure feeling, making him smile a little. He spreads his wings. Migs follows suite. "Wings up, amigo!" Skylar says excitedly.

Together they set off. Both fly out of the Palace and set course to the portal. Now that they're outside, Migs goes flying next to Skylar. He's amiable towards him for his help taking down the Veloz Ciervos right after Veje had gotten injured. Skylar looks up as Migs moves next to him. Migs smiles at Skylar out of gratitude. "You were doing great yesterday. You were of valuable help to me during the hunt. I wanted to thank you for this in person." Migs says in an eased tone.

Skylar looks at Migs with a happy look on his face. However, it changes to one of amazement. For a brief moment, it's quiet between the two. Migs starts looking puzzled and at that point, Skylar replies: "So, now is your chance!"

Now Migs is the one who's filled with amazement and gazes at Skylar. He says slowly with an intonation as if a question: "Thanks for helping me."

Skylar bursts out in laughter and says: "Haha, you thanked me twice now! You are so grateful, Migs, haha! So… you are welcome. As you know, I am always happy to help!"

Migs releases a deep sigh at a thought that crosses his mind: *And again fooled by Skylar… Why do I keep being tricked by both him and Tudor so often? Though no time to consider myself now. Perhaps it is best if I should forget about this for now and raise another topic with him instead.*

*Migs is so easy to fool! What is it with Jaquins older than me and being tricked easily? Or he is just… Migs. Ah well, it is fun tricking him anytime!* Skylar thinks while looking straight ahead again.

Noticing Skylar is no longer paying attention to him, Migs assumes he's forgotten about that joke just now. He asks: "So, Skylar. Have you got any ideas who your fellow trainees are?"

Skylar looks at Migs once more: "Fellow trainees? I get to train other Jaquins while being trained by Cruz myself?"

"No, no!' Migs says somewhat agitated, 'That is not what I am sayi…"

"Yes, you do. And it sounds boring to me. Migs, you should change how you say things.' Skylar interrupts Migs and points his thumbs toward himself, 'Like I said back at the Palace. Be more like me!"

Migs shakes his head out of frustration before continuing: "Just listen to what I am asking you. Have you met the other Jaquins, those who will also receive training from Cruz?"

Skylar seems to think about it for a second or two. He then says enthusiastically: "How should I know? I am going to become a Guardian of Avalor! I will become the best, and a friend of princess Elena, too."

Migs sighs deep once again and says: "Never mind. You will see for yourself."

Shortly after they arrive at the portal. Skylar looks at Migs. His face betrays some uncertainty. He sees Migs looking back at him who easily picks up on this and says: "No worries, Skylar. You know Avalor, even though you have not spent much time there yet. With time this feeling will pass away. Besides, both you and I know Cruz well."

"Wait… 'you and I'?' Skylar asks surprised, 'You are coming, too?"

Migs nods having a smile on his face: "Of course! I was ordered so by king Verago. How else would he know if his son truly arrives where he is supposed to go?"

"Alright!' Skylar exclaims with joy but then realises something, 'Hey! No need for you to babysit me…"

"We will see about that." Migs whispers calmly.

Skylar gives him a sarcastic look. Then he realises something: "Oh, I almost forgot… What about our quota? Now that I go to Avalor I cannot contribute here…"

While saying this Migs steps toward a tree stump with a paw symbol on it standing in front of the portal. However, he holds back when hearing Skylar's question. Migs looks at Skylar without any expression. It seems he expects Skylar to know the answer himself. A brief moment of silence passes before he says: "Well, then you will be in Avalor. Simple, right? Means your mouth does not need to be fed here in Vallestrella."

Skylar frowns with a thought passing his mind: *That is true… Migs is boring, but he is smart, too.*

Migs proceeds to the tree stump. Standing in front of it he places his paw on the symbol. Immediately a palette consisting of many colours appears within the oval-shaped portal. They shine bright and are beautiful to look at, mesmerising even. Migs turns his head and says: "After you."

Without a single doubt, Skylar steps through the portal followed by Migs…