11
Ianto walked outside to stand in the front yard, visible now as inside the house the little boy slept, unaware of what was happening.
Ianto knew this was it.
The letter opened, the seals broken and the message read. Inside him there was a storm brewing, the warning too late for those already trying to beat the clock as the game wound down. They didn't get it but he did. This was no game. Never was. The Hunt was all about survival of the fittest, rein of the supreme… and in the end… the jewel in the crown.
Ianto knew now what he felt that day on the floor as a small child.
Destiny.
Bring it on.
As if hearing his thought one of the men broke from the group and started to run, another following after him with similar clothing and as the first men yelped, falling into the grass the second one leapt over him. He didn't look down at his fallen friend, he kept his eyes firmly on the prize… Ianto and those standing there watching became emboldened to follow lest that fool get the prize instead if one of them.
The prize?
Idiots.
The Hunt was over, the prize already won and the winner now stood whacking them come like a man might watch a pack of wolves come when you ring a dinner bell. Of course… you and I both know wolves may be scary and dangerous and all bitey and shit… but partner… they aint's shit compared to a feckin dragon.
Ianto felt it in his bones… in his blood… I guess you could use that old phrase used by his grandmother once upon a time…. He felt it in his waters… Ianto took a deep breath and let it out, then roared a challenge that had those still running staggering to a halt, those falling on the battle field as it was now, also poking up… some mid punch or stab.
It was not like a yell or even a shout. No. Not like a scream or… well. I guess you could call it a roar. But… not. Does the wind roar? Does a storm bellow? Thunder? A mountain as it crumbles to the sea... does it rumble? No. He fucking boomed.
You felt it in your bones, like a shockwave that had some staggering back with alarm.
Ianto took a step forward and Jack looked over at John who did the most natural thing he could think of doing. He hit the dirt, covering his head like they were under fire and after a beat Jack did the same. Max calling out to the other little people and Roger finally ran from his 'big' stance at the gates.
Yes the gates were open.
Come on in.
Hell waits.
And the demon coming towards you is pissed!
Ianto roared again, picking up speed as he started to run with his arms out … an avenging angel now as he seemed to shimmer with heat, his arms like wings as he advanced and one of the men swore softly to himself, then he turned tail and ran in the other direction.
He was noping out of that shit!
Ianto slowed and bent lower at the waist the last yell almost sonic as more than one man screamed and clutched at his ears. On the ground John was laughing hysterically as he covered his head with his arms and tried not to look.
It was hot, cold… unbelievably weird. Like an out of body experience and John knew it was the Boeshanninan blood that was quickening him, like it was Jack and the others of their ilk. As for the little people… John raised in his head to see that they were closer to the ground already, then laughed some more as he knew Ianto would snot him for that one if he heard him.
Finally Ianto stood panting. The only sound was his breath as he looked around the field. Jack sat up, looking around as well, and then called out "Johnny?"
"Wohoooo" Jack leapt up and punched the air, laughing as he staggered towards Jack "that was fucking funny, what?"
"You're a bloody nutta you are" Owen called from the porch of the house, the sonic weapon in his hand still fully loaded as he watched John stagger about as if drunk.
Jack strode with confidence to the Agency man who had also hit the dirt and was now on his hands and knees trying to slowly get up. Boeshanninan blood had saved him as well… unfortunately those not quite as lucky were currently getting hit by some shoals of land piranha in the guise of little people… the odd bug shaped shark coursing about under the waves of grass as well.
An occasional scream or moan as someone died the oily indicator that there was anything happening at all.
Ianto took another deep breath and then addressed the man now on his feet.
"Kneel!"
The man blinked, looked long and hard into those storms of anger and nodded, sinking back to his knees as he bowed, latent his hands sink back into the dirt and his forehead followed.
He bowed to the man who would now rule this piece of dirt.
The Hunt was over, the winner clear.
All hail.
The Royal family's new realm was created in the last dying moments of those who had no idea that their blood would not only feed the earth they were bleeding into… but their sparks, dying and waning as they did… helped set fire to the bloodline.
Ianto stood tall and true while inside a little boy woke.
And his eyes glowed golden light.
The future king giggled to himself as he lifted his foot to wriggle his toes and marvel at the vessel he was growing in.
Outside… his family cleaned up.
Finally Ianto said softly "Fuck. I need a drink after that."
John pointed at him and nodded as Owen dropped a limb and watched a little child bug snatch it before it hit the ground, to scurry off.
"Yeah."
