Pumpkin's Rein

Vanilla Drizzled On Top

Pumpkin's POV:
"But i am the only tiger it's not possible!"
"Not anymore, your rein is coming to an end your majesty." No i will not cower before this insignificant outsider! A huge black shadow illuminated on the ceiling above, it didn't look like any tiger i knew of. "Show yourself!" The shadow quickly disappeared and before i knew it i was being knocked to the floor. Right above me was a massive, snarling, almost sick looking tiger, its fur all ruffled, covered in scars and bald patches with the evilest glint in its eyes. "Hello Pumpkin." I jumped up screaming. Oh silly me. I chuckled to myself, another one of my nightmares. Emerald was already perched in my room, not good news. "What is it Emerald?" She extended her wings and flapped over to perch herself on my bed, i could see her lip quivering and her ears flattened on her dragon head. "There's someone outside claiming they want to train for royal guard duty your highness." What a relief.
"I thought it was something bad then, let the other guards know so we can test them, after all we have many available spots!" Emerald shook her head vigorously. "It's a tiger your highness."

Vanilla's POV:
What was taking so long? And what was that dragons problem? I thought training to be part of the royal security was normal around here, sheesh she was looking at me like i was an alien species. I mean what don't i have? I've been training since i came out the womb, i'm strong and buff, sure i'm a bit on the dumber side of life but besides that i'm perfect for the job! After hiding away for 20 years you think i'd get a bit more respect around here. All of the guards had scattered inside the second i rocked up, something isn't adding up.

Pumpkin's POV:
The second i walked into the throne room, i was bombarded by all the staff in the palace. I really hope this isn't the same tiger from my nightmare. "Everyone calm down please! Maybe we should give her a chance, she's travelled all the way here let's atleast see what she's got!"
Emerald, my second in command, piped up first as usual, "But pumpkin we don't know anything about her, your the only tiger we thought existed!"
"Fine i will go and investigate, i will go speak with the eyes down below." I kept my head high, nothing new there, and took myself out the back entrance, hopefully that tiger stayed put like she was told to. I haven't even seen her, i cant assume she's nasty. "Daphne!" She popped up instantly, looked just as worried as the others. "Yes your majesty."
"Do you know anything about this tiger?"
"Her name is vanilla." Ocean popped up besides her, drenching me in water. "Oops! Sorry i heard she came all the way from mount everest, she's been studying and training there here whole life!" Fredrika finally popped up as well. "Shes a white tiger pumpkin, she looks nothing like you, it's like a zebra mixed with a tiger." All my worries evaporated. "Phew. Thank you girls we will give her a chance."

Vanilla's POV:
Oh my heavens! The door finally swung open. That big, white, grumpy dragon wasn't with them this time. Three, still unsettled, looking guards marched out and stood before me. Oops. I was towering over them, i bet they feel intimidated. "I've come to train. I'm sorry if i scared you." They all nodded in union. "Ahem, we have come to see what you're capable of, noble warrior." Why did none of them have name tags? It feels rude naming them by their species. The one talking looked identical to that moody one earlier though, a scarlet dragon with semi-developed scales on its back, but oh! Where's its wings? This must be a youngling. The other two behind him were identical, two grey wolves, blue in the right lighting, with serious eye bags under their eyes. Yeesh. Wolves look a lot scarier where i come from. They all stood proud though with no emotions whatsoever so bravo to all of them. "We start here, her royal highness is watching you." I looked around, even under my paw, trying to find the queen, i dont even know what she looks like though, for all i know it could've been that big dragon, i really hope not. I followed behind, "Hey what's your name?"
"Um, my names Rupert, but i don't see how that's relevant." He cocked his eyebrow up at me. Okay, two can play that game. The two wolves snickered behind him. Rupert rolled his eyes, "Cmon no messing about let's get on with it."

Pumpkin's POV:
Oh wow! Shes gorgeous! She doesn't even look like a tiger, she's a lot bigger than me but not like that asshole in my nightmare, i can tell shes pure like the snow, i don't know if she will have the intelligence though, she'd be a laugh to have around the palace. Yes! They're starting. Emerald squeezed in besides me, "I dont get why you watch from afar, you should make them feel more intimidated by sitting right infront their face!" She sniggered, sometimes Emerald really pisses me off, she's wonderful in battles and protecting me but her hearts too cold and she's too negative about this world. "I know how it feels to be under pressure, when you're good at something but the second you're being watched your confidence pops into thin air."
"But if she was that determined, especially because she's a tiger and surely having another tiger serve for a tiger makes you look less powerful, your presence wouldn't change her performance."
"Excuse me? Are you trying to say because we have the same species serving for me, that means no one will take me seriously?! Having someone as strong as her will increase our protection!" Emerald's eyes widened in disbelief. "I'm sorry i upset you, your highness, i just meant you look so small compared to her, people might mistake her as queen." I tuned her and her foolishness out, i need to focus on her abilities. Rupert turned to Vanilla, "First you need to know the 4 categories we train you in."
"Defence, offence, sneaking and hunting. Anything else?" She interrupted. Rupert's mouth fell open in shock, they never answer and wait for the 4 categories to be announced. Holding in laughter is not my strongest suite. "Look! Pumpkin! She cant even stay serious!" Emerald noticed my giggling and smacked her head against the window. Rupert resumed, "Okay let's get started then, we will start with defence."

Vanilla's POV:
I'm pretty sure that was the queen laughing, ive already impressed royalty but i'm not here to be comedy, i need to stop saying everything i'm thinking. "When an enemy is attacking, you need to be able to defend yourself, your queen or your kingdom, you need to have your heart in it too, let's come up with a scenario shall we?" Silence. Oh wait, that was my cue! Oops. "Um okay then, a raging unicorn filled with hate has come to steal the crown." Rupert nodded in approval. "What are you going to do first solider?"
"You would alert the palace but sneakily so the enemy thinks he's one step ahead, he wouldn't see it coming. Youd order together a patrol to be ready to attack from behind and catch him off guard, enough to circle him but keep enough to stay back and guard the crown and the queen. Anything else?" I can tell they've never had such a smart, precise answer, i have that affect on creatures. "Yes, that's perfect, now let's get to the physical bits shall we? We will start with offence if you're planning on sneaking up on him. Show me how you would attack from behind." Rupert walked past me, role playing as the enemy.

Pumpkin's POV:
What will you do Vanilla? Please impress them all. She got into hunters crouch, keeping herself low to the ground, her eyes alert of her surroundings and Rupert. She was silent, not even i picked up on a peep, she ran like a flash, i almost missed it, and pounced ontop Rupert, pinning him to the ground and taking a paw across his whole spine, with sheathed claws obviously. "Not even i was expecting that Vanilla, pass!" It went on like this for the next hour, checking all her skills and surprise, surprise she passed with flying colours.

Emerald's POV:
No one has ever seen such a wonderful preformance, not even mine was that special, shit. She's bigger, smarter and more experienced then me, my position is at stake, sure she won't become second in command instantly but it won't be long till pumpkin realises, two tigers ruling side by side is the most powerful thing this kingdom would've ever seen! "Emerald, bring her to me so i can congratulate her personally and reward her by giving her a position. We should put her with the advanced guards, no point letting her talent go to waste with the younglings." I could not believe what i was hearing!
"But she needs to build her knowledge first surely!"
No way this bitch shook her head, i think everyone should be concerned about who was ruling our kingdom right now, pumpkin was letting, wait. Oh my heavens. It has to be! She's letting a crush cloud her judgment! "As you wish pumpkin." I was not going to let a newbie ruin everything.