33
Ianto was enjoying the calm, everyone seemingly getting along well. He still felt bad about the other colony but knew the only way forward now was some tough love. With that in mind he told himself not to dwell on it and to instead, take a walk.
Instead of the downstream wander he usually took he decided to go upstream instead. Why not. This was going to be his home now, best he get used to it and learn all there is to know about this corner of it. Caves? Swimming holes? Anything that might be useful in a fight or flight situation. If he had learnt anything it was to have escape plans.
And he liked ALL the information.
And so, when the suns were high, he found himself in a little cave system with a sandwich form his pocket getting chewed quietly as he contemplated the coolness of the little spot. A nice spot. The air was crisp, coming from deep in the cave. So… water in there?
Ianto then heard something from in the darkness. Crying, yelling and then a loud scream. Like something was being hurt… beaten. Killed. Ianto didn't even think about it, he ran into the darkness without a second thought.
It was a child's cry.
.
.
"Ha anyone seen Ianto?" Jack asked, the little girl in his arms squirming and he knew Ianto would calm her.
"He went for a womble."
"Ah gods, let's hope he gets back before it's dark. You know how he can lose track of time when meditating." Jack sighed, moving away from the group to cast in the bond, more than slightly worried as Ianto hadn't told him he was going so clearly he had thought he would be back before Glenda wanted him.
.
.
Ianto slowed as he neared the commotion, the scraping of something and the panting, groaning and occasional cry. Some sort of scuffle.
He stepped out onto a ledge overlooking the action and saw monsters. Oh. Great. Great move Ianto. Why not enter the lair of the… oh no. A small monster, looking like a little child one was crouched in a ball as the other larger ones circled it. They were all small, all juvenile clearly and this small runty one was being picked on by the others.
They were not just bullying, their claws were slashing at the little one's pelt and each time it cried out they all chuffed with amusement.
Then he looked over and saw adults watching. Just watching. Then he understood that this little one was indeed a runt. He was not considered worthy and they had given him to the juveniles to play with. And probably eventually kill.
A sacrifice.
Could he watch this when his own child was so small. One of the large monsters was not making the same noises, this one was deflating with each swipe of claws. Maybe a parent hoping their child would fight back and show some teeth. Some chance of survival.
Blood flew with another swipe and the little one cried out in pain, the parent taking a step only to stop as the other adults made noises of annoyance. Then with head bowed, it stepped back to allow the continued attack on it's child.
Well… Ianto couldn't.
"NO" he roared, his voice echoing in the chamber and more than one cringed low with shock at the power of the voice. Ianto stepped out so they could see him "What are you doing to that child!"
One of the monsters roared back and Ianto waved a hand, the silence shocking them all as he showed his power, the sonic wave slapping them back silencing them all.
"They call you monsters. They think you are all wild, untamed beasts and they want to kill you, are scared to because of the fact you are connected" Ianto told them "But this… if you allow this… you are truly godless things and the Goddess Herself will not welcome you to the next life!"
"It is out way" one of them finally spoke, as Ianto had thought. They could fucking still talk.
"Well, it does not make it the right way!" Ianto scoffed as he stepped down into the arena like he had no fear "What is this. My people are new here, lured here under false pretenses that it was a safe planet and then we find you lot here, then the bloody fuzzy balls of doom. I don't fear you now, I did when the first one attacked us but I now see that you are intelligent beings and I am here to listen to you."
One of the huge monsters stepped forward and asked "And why do you think you are safe here?"
Ianto huffed, then let himself expand, giving away the secret he kept close, the reason why he was powerful and scary as fuck.
The huge red dragon filled most of the arena and looked down at the puny monsters with open amusement "Because you are not the only mutants in the room."
"Well now…" an old grey one finally spoke "Finally… it looks like we can have a conversation."