There is no Choice. [Story Prompt 4

Long live the Queen ( Story Event Prompt )
Writing by: RadicalRyuu
Da gallery: https://www.deviantart.com/RadicalRyuu/gallery
Word count: 1300+ (1200 words)
Dino’s Included: Pony Boi (329), Pepper (6580), Queen Rhys (6729)

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“Pony Boi! A joy to see you make it!” 

With the rustling a bustling of the crowd and the many that had gathered for the apparent party for the many trusted of the council. Pony Boi smiled slightly and slightly eased up at the familiar face of the huge Iguanodon Pepper. Pony Boi sighs low, bowing his head slightly before looking back up and plastering a smile onto his face. With a high raise on his feet that swooped into a bow, wings sweeping out, the chuckle of Pepper told Pony Boi it was now safe to look up.

“You clean up nicely for a meat eater” Pepper complemented, and if it was said before the joke would have been lost to Pony Boi, but he caught the slight smile that eased him and he gave a soft laugh back.

“If you would believe it, I am a constance annoyance to my family. I'm very much a clean freak…”

“Heh, i would believe that, for the brief time your daughter stayed with us, she apparently made it clear that she couldnt TOO dirty or else face her father wrath” They shared a chuckle as they looked out to the other mingeling around this ruined building, from the center it had looked like the roof had caved in, letting in sunlight and growth bust forth from the ground to make this sort of garden, just beyond that the dome loomed overhead. Which…. Pony tilted his head as if he wasn't wrong there seem to be cracks-

“Pony, there is something I must tell you.” The raptor jolted lightly, tilting his head just slightly to stare up at the Black and white Iguanodon, there was a tone in their voice that led to something unsettling growing in him. 

“What is it?” he asked softly, looking back out to the party, Pepper seemed to lower her head even more, as if to eat something from the pile of food before her.

“This place isn't what you think, there are machinations happening in the background, things that will come to your world of above. Please Pony, take what I'm about to say into account, for the possibility of your family being in danger.”

He jolted quickly looking back up at Pepper side, maw opening in disbelief. 

“What are you saying to me-”

“GREETING EVERYONE!!!” 

Pepper stared down at Pony boi, a grim look upon her face before lifting it and staring ahead, Pony boi gritted his teeth as he too looked to where the yell came from to witness a new Iguanodon before them, White was her coat yet bits of blue seem to splash in speckles at some points on her body, the more prominent being her face and tail, as well as her left foot. A black design almost like a circle was around her eye that trailed to her beak. And on her right side limb that funny adornments that the club ones wore was attached to her shoulder and near her forearm. 

Pony boi squinted his eyes however when he saw something move just briefly, and from the side a monkey climbed over from her back, Cream in color with a black face it sat near her neck, before reaching down to seem to adjust the armor strap before relaxing. His eyes narrowed before his full attention was on the one that spoke.

“I see many new guests that have made it down to our humble kingdom, it's such a nice sight with the plans in place and soon the seeds of our kingdom spreading out to the outside world it won't be long before Atlantis takes to the islands!” There were many cheers and roars that rose, Pony feeling a cold dread drain the warmth of his body as he looked up to Pepper. But the grim look that looked back was answer enough.

“You…., she can't be serious… is that sounding like how I think it does-”

“Yes, Pony boi I know how this may seem but we had no choice.” Pepper said solemnly, head lowering as if ashamed of the betrayal now in Pony eye. Quietly for only him to hear

“Our home is collapsing, Pony boi, ever since those earthquakes… Those earth shakes,” She corrected “Great cracks have appeared in the dome, and they only continue to spread. We try to fix it as much as we can, but water is leaking in, and it will only be a matter of time before the ocean collapses upon us.”

They looked to the Queen who seemed to be knighting a Cryo before them, Pony boi eyes widening when noticing that it must have been one from above. “Our Queen has extended her protection to many of those above, if they fledge loyalty to her. You would be safe in her soon to take over and your family too.” Pepper pleaded, eyes growing sad when Pony boi could only shake his head.

“Your out of your min-”

“Hello you.”

Frozen, Pony Boi could only continue to stare at Pepper, eyes widened as Pepper stared back before turning to the speaker, head bowing lowly.

“My Queen Rhys.” Pepper said softly, Pony boi finally willed his head to turn eyes wide as before him stood the Queen of Atlantis. Who seems to smile back at pepper and give a small bow back.

“Counselor Pepper, it's always lovely speaking with you.” A jolting shock, head quickly snapping to stare at the one that had seemed to guide them this whole time to be one of the very ones that help govern this place.

“Ahh, and i see this must be your chosen Knight you told me so much about” There was a giggle, as the Queen moved to close Pony jaw shut and lift his head up a small smile spreading across her beak.

“Oh my, you were right…what striking blue eyes he has, and the feathers are so nice to the touch.” He felt the soft brush to the top of his head, unease kept his mouth shut the whole time though before it seemed the queen caught herself and smiled. 

“Oh! Where are my manners, so unbecoming of me. I'm Queen Rhys ruler of Atlantis and I hear from Pepper you would make a good Knight for my campaign for the above world. I hope we can count on you for your future support” With a bow not bothering to wait Queen Rhys continues on, seeming to chat words with another species from the island above. 

The two were silent, one staring at some spot ahead and the other watching for a reaction. Eventually Pony looked down at his plate, and if Pepper squinted she could see how the other shook. 

“You know there are many that won't sit around while this attack happens.” Pony mumbled softly, eyes still down. “We know, We have been dealing with one now, A black Carno with a blue fac-” 

“The Shadow?” Pony asked looking up, eyes narrowing. “What have you done, He’s not an enemy to make lightly you know this right?” for the first time ever he watched as Pepper let out a frustrated puff of air.

“Yes, so we have been seeing, At one point we had him contained but he showed how frighteningly clever he is.” Pepper looked off to the party around them, eyes trailing to the Queen and watching as they continued to make rounds talking to others. 

“I wont lie Pony, i have put you in a tough situation, a matter of choice of the fact that you join us, or are against us.” Pony boi snarled, low and warning. 

“And I implore you to be with us. For if not for yourself then for your pack, and daughter.”