Under Fire
Chapter Three - Meeting
Disclaimer in last chapter.
After the portal had spat out all 12 people, the group stood idly in what looked like a court yard. Perfectly cut, dark green grass laid under their feet, and multiple rose bushes that were meticulously trimmed into various shapes like stars, ballerinas, daggers and assorted animals surrounded them. In the middle of the yard was a rather large fountain bubbling crystal clear water. A paved walkway that cut through the garden lead up to a huge, lavish palace. The walls were ivory colored stone with intricate designs of dark green ivy slithering up the sides.
Blaze interrupted the gaping crowd by giving instructions:
"Alright. Once we get in I will lead you to the throne room were you will meet Tryphaena and Zara. When I introduce you to Tryphaena all of you need to bow. Only address her 'Your Highness' ..."
"What if we don't?" Amy asked.
Blaze couldn't help but give a grim, half smile "Then she'll have you thrown in the dungeon of course. Or have you beheaded, depends on her mood."
The look on Amy's faced was priceless and Shadow and Knuckles couldn't help but chuckle darkly.
"Any questions?" No one offered to speak.
"Alright, in we go."
The group was walking down a long, corridor like hallway. It was amazingly large, with huge windows that let in long shafts off light that cast stretched out shadows on the champagne colored marble floor. Multiple glass chandeliers hung from the ceiling, the light from the windows glinting off their crystal shards. Red and purple velvet tapestries hung on the white walls, all of them having a picture of a certain bird on it.
"What's that Blaze?" Cream asked, referring to the symbol.
"That's the Royal Family's crest."
"What is it of?" Tails questioned.
"A Phoenix."
Now that they looked closer at the black and red bird, they could now see the flames engulfing most of the animal.
"Interesting..." Rouge mused to herself. She was thinking that if this place is so lavish, they must have some priceless family jewelry or jewels somewhere.
After finally reaching the end of the hallway, the group stood in front of two enormous french doors that reached all the way up to the ceiling, which was about twenty feet up and took up most of the wall. The door frame itself looked like it was made out of gold.
Standing Just outside the door were two muscular guards, one was a hedgehog and one was a porcupine. Both sporting armor chest plates and two-foot long daggers that they kept strapped to their waists.
When they saw Blaze they slightly bowed their heads and smiled as the heaved the doors open for her.
"Ok, now everyone remember what I told you." Blaze whispered right before they entered the room.
The throne room resembled a glorified ball room and looked sorta like the hallway: champagne colored marble floors and red and purple velvet tapestries with the Royal Family's crest on it decorated the room. Except there were no large windows in here besides the small square ones near the ceiling and a couple skylights. In the center of the ceiling there hang a massive chandelier.
But that was not what got the group's attention. On the far side of the room there sit five large thrones pushed up against the wall on a carpeted elevated platform. The main two thrones that sat in the center were much larger than the other three.
Two more guards, having the same armor and swords as the last two, stood in front of one of the larger throne.
And sitting leisurely on that throne, was a female cat that resembled Blaze. She was a little older than her, maybe nineteen, her fur was ebony colored and her muzzle was white. Her hair was done up in a long, flowing ponytail that was red-tipped. She was wearing a gold, black and red sort of dress that was sleeveless and strapless and that flowed down to her knees, but leaving her thighs exposed. It also had a small black cape in the back. Her shoes were black and had golden flowers on the toes in addition to three-inch heels. She wore no gloves but had golden arm plates that were like gauntlets, starting from her wrists and ending at her elbows. She wore golden earnings and her tail was slightly longer and not as crooked as Blaze's. She too, had a red jewel on her forehead. But her most stunning feature was her intensely golden eyes.
Like searchlights they scanned over the group as they entered with Blaze. She sat cross-legged on the throne, her fingers tapping the armrest that was carved to look like a lion paw.
"Well, well, well Blazalia, quite a crowd you have brought with you." she spoke in a bored voice, still staring at the group like house cat decided wether to pounce on a bird or not.
Everyone looked at Blaze, all wondering about the whole "Blazalia" thing.
Blaze turned to them, "My full name. I was named after one of the rarest flowers found in Zeldelphia."
"I assume these are the guests you mentioned?" the black cat yawned.
"Yes. Guys, this is my sister and temporary Queen, Tryphaena. Tryphaena, these are my friends..." Blaze then introduced all of them to Tryphaena, each one reluctantly bowing as their name was spoken.
When the introductions were over Blaze was about to go show everyone to their rooms when she heard a familiar sound of claws on the marble floor.
The group looked over to see a huge griffin, the size of Great Dane, leisurely pad across the throne room and over to where Tryphaena sat and it then affectionately rubbed up against her legs like a cat. Tryphaena reached down and gave him a light pat on his head.
"So good of you to join us Leonardo." she muttered to the griffin.
Blaze turned to the group for another explanation. "My sister's pet" she said simply.
"Mmm Hmm."
It sounded like someone was clearing their throat. The group turned around to see a smaller female cat, probably around ten years old. She had vibrant green fur and a white muzzle that was furry like Tails'. She was wearing a red and black tunic, knee-high brown boots without heels, the same gauntlets that Tryphaena has, but they were silver, and silver earrings in each ear. She had twin blades strapped to her back. She had the same hairstyle as Blaze except her hair was green and black-tipped and she had a couple spikey side-sweep bangs that were also black-tipped. She, as well, had the same red jewel in her forehead that Blaze and Tryphaena had. As with Tryphaena, her eyes were also stunning, except for the fact that they were blood red.
Floating above both of her shoulders were two chao. One was bright pink and had a red ribbon on its head and the other one was bright orange.
"Oh, I almost forgot, this is my little sister, Princess Zara and her two pet chao Roxy and Freddie... you don't have to bow to her." Blaze sorta whispered the last part as not to make Zara feel less important.
"You can just call me Zara." she smiled.
"Zara, these are my friends that are going to be staying here for a couple days." Blaze said, this time directed at the emerald cat.
"OK." Zara replied. She had spotted Tails and was sorta zoned out staring at him.
Suddenly there was a loud screeching that sounded like a bird that cascaded from somewhere up above.
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, a large bird, slightly bigger than an eagle, swooped down and alighted on Blaze's outstretched arm. Its feathers were deep burgundy and black and it had a long, amazing tail that almost touched the floor from where it was perched on Blaze.
"And this is Singe. My pet Phoenix." Blaze said, cracking a weak smile as she ruffled Sing's breast feathers. Then she cast her arm up, signaling the Phoenix to fly away.
"Now then," Tryphaena said, getting everyone's attention. She snapped her fingers and through the door came a female chameleon. She was a pastel pink color with two large horns protruding from her forehead. She was wearing a white gown and pink ballet flats. She walked past the group until she was a respectable distance from were Tryphaena sat.
"What can I do for you, your highness?" the chameleon lowered her eyes in a sign of respect.
"Lystra, would you be a dear and show our guests to their rooms?" Tryphaena requested.
"Certainly." the chameleon addressed as Lystra walked over to the group.
"Come with me." she said lightly. Espio couldn't help but smile as her eyes passed him.
"Hurry, we're having dinner quite soon." Tryphaena called after them.
Master Emerald Shrine
Dana and Shay were busying themselves by laying down on lawn chairs wearing bikinis and sunglasses, basking in the sun while Sean was going around tasting all the weird kinds of fruits on the island.
This job had been quite boring.
...So far.
Read and review PLEASE!
NO FLAMES!