Secret Wings

A Chance To Bond

"Maybe I took it too far?" Queen Zilina as she paced around the throne room, with everyone else gathered around her. "I know that I take my introductions a little too far sometimes—"

"No, no, it's not only you, sister," Nina assured her with a smile. "Neither of us should have called him by his birth name. We both know that he hasn't used it in years,"

"I'm sure neither of you planned to make this mistake, your majesty and your highness," Phoenix reassured them, driving to them with a slight bow.

"I agree with Phoenix," Flame nodded. "He was just... taken back by the sudden attention you gave him, that's all. I'm sure that he'll come around... eventually,"

"I hope that you both are right," Queen Zilina sighed before turning to the rest of the group. "I apologize for cutting the feast off so quickly, friends,"

"It's alright, your majesty," Watts smiled.

"Yeah," Stripes agreed. "We're sorry that Crusher suddenly reacted like that,"

"Honestly, it's the first time that we have seen him react like that," Darington spoke.

"Yeah, and that's comin' from the amount of times we've seen him throw a tantrum," Starla snorted.

"Yeah, Zeg never seen Crusher act so calm but so angry before," Zeg gave a nod of agreement.

"I hope he's okay," Gabby let out a sigh.

"We're back!"

The group turned to see Diana, Pickle, Blaze, AJ, and Crusher fly into the throne room, with the green truck and the grand fairy queen in the lead while the dark blue truck dragged himself in. The sisters were relieved at the sight of them.

"Mother!" Queen Zilina beamed. "Young Blaze, AJ and Pickle!" Her gaze then turned to the her nephew, and her smile softened. "And dearest nephew! You have all returned,"

"Your majesty," Blaze, AJ and Pickle bowed with a nod.

"My child, are you alright?" Nina drove over to the dark blue truck, who flinched and moved a bit.

"M'fine," Crusher mumbled but didn't growl. "I just... needed some air, that's all,"

"Nephew, I apologize if anything I spoke through my introduction hurt you," Queen Zilina spoke with a plead. "I did not mean to and—"

"No," Crusher turned to her with a mild glare. "Enough with your fancy-schmancy talk. If you want to apologize, talk to me as the aunt you're claiming to be, not as the queen,"

Queen Zilina was taken back by the statement, as did the others. Only Diana seemed to expect this and nodded in agreement.

"He's right, Zilina," she spoke. "I know that you are trying to sound formal, but this isn't royal business. This is a family one, and as I always say, you must always separate family matters from royal duties,"

Queen Zilina stuttered for a moment but soon composed herself with a nod. "Of... Of course, Mother, it's just... years of having no family nearby... I... I've almost forgotten how to speak with family,"

'Excuses, excuses.' Crusher had to bite down his tongue to keep himself from growling.

"Well, I'm sure you'll get the chance to practice," Diana assured her eldest before turning to her youngest. "As will you, Nina, especially since Crushy will be staying with us,"

"He will?!" Nina gasped. "Oh by light of the stars—"

"Temporarily," Crusher butted in, not wanting to keep the reformed fairy's hopes up a little too much. "Like, at least a week,"

"Oh," Nina looked a little down but kept her smile up. "but as long as I got the chance to bond with you, my child, then I'll take as much as I can!"

"Joyful..." Crusher grumbled but kept it under his breath.

"AJ and I'll help lead our friends back to the mortal world," Blaze offered, fluttering his wings up.

"Good idea, Blaze," Diana nodded. "Phoenix, Flame, Sparkle, perhaps you would all like to accompany them Back to Axle City?"

"Of course," Phoenix gave a bow then she and her husband led the group out.

Pickle looked hesitant to leave, but a smile from Crusher made him smile and nod before turning to fly after the rest of the group. As soon he was alone with the royals, the dark blue truck took a deep breath and turned to face them.

"One chance," he spoke. "I'm giving you all one chance. If I feel more hurt, isolated and manipulated than welcomed and accepted by the end of the week, I'm out,"

"That sounds fair," Nina nodded with a smile. "Don't worry, my child. We won't force you to bond with us,"

"Good," Crusher turned away. "Oh, and while I'm here, I'd only like to be called by real name,"

"Um..." Queen Zilina and Nina looked confused.

"The name I've been called for years," Crusher clarified with a sigh. "Not the lost prince, not Inazuma... just Crusher. That is all. Goodnight,"

With that, he drove out of the throne room and shut the door.