A Royal Summons

Ever since the original imprisonment of Tonic within the domed kingdom of Atlantis. Many things have come to pass, changing this once forgotten alienesque world. The Bio Dome, that Great Wall of human ingenuity that provided haven for their long since lost creations. A barrier that held aloft the seas above while the denizens of Atlantis flourished within their isolated solitude, now threatens to destroy the very kingdom it created. With a crack ever widening upon its surface, and with limited time at their disposal. Queen Rhys needed all the help she could muster.

 Hearing of a lone outsider, one who so boldly trespassed deep within her lands, all for the sake of the plants within. Lady Rhys knew from experience that such an individual could prove invaluable towards her cause. For if one is already so willing to sacrifice itself for the sake of its interests. To provide them with reason to fight at her behest; in a manner that aligns with such acts, Why that could create a powerful ally indeed.

And so she’d send for him, her simian cohorts scouring the biodome in hopes of finding any sign of Tonic's continued presence within the kingdom below the waves…

Pacing through the low brush of the verdant jungle floor, a familiar Theri whose coat matched his surroundings was thinking back to his time imprisoned by the court of Atlantis. Having since learned that was supposed to have been an unpleasant stay. Tonic couldn’t help but wonder why the dinosaurs there seemed to be so defensive towards newcomers? Going so far as to trap someone just for entering their land? It was an unusual concept for the innocent seeming Theropod to grasp. And so he was stuck in his thoughts, ever attempting to make sense of it all. That is, until a sudden noise broke him from his stupor. The shrill cries of a lemur rang loudly in his ear,as Tonic came to realize he had been surrounded.

One by one, various apes and their ilk flooded the space around the concerned Theropod as his mind raced as to why this was occurring. Had he unknowingly broken one of this land's laws? He technically had already been imprisoned once after all even if he didn’t realize it at first. What if they weren’t gonna be as nice the second time around?

“Im sorry, I swear I was just leaving your lands. I didn’t mean to offend if I did somehow!”

Slightly panicked, Tonic would raise his claws  defensively, only to realize after doing so they are likely the most threatening thing about him.

He’d quickly tuck them to his check before continuing “I really don’t mean any trouble. I only came here originally cause I’d heard from a friend the plants here were like nothing they’d ever seen. I got curious!”

As he frantically tried to explain himself, Tonic would watch as one of the largest apes in the group seemed to break away from its group and approach him personally, its eyes observing the dinosaur with an unnerving amount of focus, the animal would speak in a direct and authoritative voice. “You are to see the queen!”

“Wait what!?” Said the befuddled tonic

The ape would repeat itself in a slightly harsher tone 

“You… Are to meet with the great Queen Rhys. For you have been summoned by her majesty… Have you any objection to this command, we her thousand eyes shall enforce her summons  personally…”

Hearing this, Tonic thought back to his time at the jail. Despite having spent most of his time there obsessing over the unique flora found in his cell. There were several times where he overheard the guards speaking about someone they referred to as their queen; was he about to meet this woman?

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  Lady Rhys sat in silence in the royal garden, mulling over the options she had at her disposal. In the event the dome repair failed, She and her soldiers would be storming the mainland in a desperate attempt to carve a place for her displaced citizens to call their own. She had the strength, but the same could not be said for the rest in her court, lives would be lost in the end… She needed the dome repair to work.

It was in this state of deep thought that she found herself dragged back to reality by a light tugging at her forelimb.

One of the apes,

“We have brought the individual known at Tonic Queen Rhys, he awaits for your presence as we speak”

“Good” Queen Rhys acknowledged “Please bring me to them”

Hearing this the ape nodded and did as instructed, briskly walking with Rhys following in a dignified manner.

Perhaps this “Tonic” would prove to be just what her court needed to tip the scales in her favor. Atlantis was already no stranger to employing defectors from the mainland, but for one to get so deep within her lands before being captured? Surely this was a beast amongst beasts she was to meet. The thought honestly excited her, causing her pace to quicken slightly as she approached the throne space. Her mind raced as it was already attempting to discern what form this individual might take, A smile on her face expecting a warrior she’d round her throne only to be met with… a giant green chicken?

Before Tonic stood the imposing figure of Atlantis's rule. Although seeming quite young in her own right her presence was nonetheless intimidating, her sharp gaze seemingly analyzing his every move.

Not wishing to insult the literal queen, Tonic quickly bowed his head. His beak Nearly knocking against the ground in his haste

His voice full of anxiety tonic spoke quickly before he was even addressed “a-h Hello your majesty! I am known as tonic. I was hoping to fin-”

Queen Rhys cut him off, her scaled brow furrowed in frustration at this flagrant disregard of rank.

She spoke with authority and power “Silence outsider! I’ve no need for your questions. You have been brought before me for one reason and one reason alone, because I assumed you to be a warrior. To venture so deeply into my territory, I’d thought one to need both boldness of strength and of character.”

She’d sigh “Though it appears my assumptions in just simply glancing at your demeanor, were unfounded.“

Tonic would meekly try to speak before being interrupted again.

“And yet” She continued, “ you still managed to leave enough of an impression when imprisoned that my guards took note of you. Tonic before I so rudely assume my time was wasted on you. Tell me, why on earth did you traverse so deeply within my lands in the first place?”

Tonic, understanding it was now his place to talk, took one of his claws and began to scratch at his own cheek awkwardly after hearing what she said.

”Well” he said nervously, “If I had to say. It was because I was curious about the plants here” a genuine smile on his face as he said this.

“Our plants?” Rhys questioned

“YES!” Tonic exclamation excitedly “The plants in this place are like nothing I’ve ever seen before! Their colors and smells are completely unique to your kingdom, with properties I’d never even thought possible!”

Tonic would slow himself down a tad, hoping to stay respectful to the queen before him. “It's true a large amount of the plants that grow in here are toxic, and many of my fellow herbivores likely fear that. But if they could simply see past the poisons at the veritable bounty here, maybe they would be more willing to talk things out with you all…”

Hearing these words from tonic, Queen Rhys couldn’t help but have a small smile creep upon her face. It was rare for her to meet someone so genuine, let alone one who actually appreciated the rare nature of her homeland. This could work

“Sir Tonic, I am unsure if you are aware; but ever since your entering of my lands many things have changed for the worse here in Atlantis. The biodome, that mysterious wall left behind by our forbearers. The one that keeps the oceans above from destroying my home, has come to form a crack upon its surface. If that barrier were to shatter, my people would be forced to storm the mainland in an attempt to sustain ourselves.”

She’d look at him expectantly “would you come to help me avoid that future? Align yourself with me, help my people and I avoid the bloodshed of a failed dome. I need simply your cooperation in the biodomes repair. And if things go south… you will be spared from combat”

This was a lot to take in for the adolescent therizinosaurus. A war with the mainland and him on the opposite side? She wasn’t asking for a combatant but if the repairs failed that’s what it would mean… Looking into the queen's eyes though, Tonic knew what he had to do.

Taking a moment to think it over when Tonic finally spoke, there was newfound conviction laced between his words “Queen Rhys, I may not be exactly what you’re hoping for… But I’d be honored if you let me help.”

After this moment Tonic would become a key ally to the people of Atlantis, His claws being perfect for the severing of vines used in the reparation of the dome's damaged surface. The knowledge of crafting and plants He provided, ending up being an invaluable resource to the simians and other dinosaurs he worked with. It’s unsure if his team will be able to successfully repair the dome in time, but one thing was for certain. Without the help of this quirky outsider, things probably wouldn’t be progressing near as smoothly as they were, and with his most recent discovery of rubber trees growing in the forests of Atlantis, Things were looking bright for the kingdom.