Gradient flew towards the icewing kingdom with the intents to thank Queen Glacier for the extra guards, she was surprisingly supportive of Judgment despite how drastically different the icewing kingdom was from it. As Gradient passed over the great ice wall, he couldn't help but smile he wasn't to attached to any place but the icewing kingdom always felt like it could be his home.
Dreams of the icewing Kingdom filled Gradient's head for years, the snow, the ice, the cool weather, Gradient might have had no troubles with any weather, but he felt the icewing kingdom was perfect. Gradient imagined his life after he and Silver had someone else to take over Judgment, he'd love to have a large igloo to live in right next to a frozen lake to catch fish, although who he'd be with was still fuzzy, perhaps Silver would like to join him in the icewing kingdom from time to time or maybe he'd fish with Darktalon once he was fully reformed?
Peacock hit Gradient's mind quickly after those two, he was someone Gradient could see spending all his time with but Gradient had multiple issues, he was dating Darktalon and Peacock was clearly too good for him. Gradient also probably blew any chances as Peacock was now avoiding him like a Dragon avoids a dragonbite viper.
As Gradient was lost in his thoughts he suddenly realized he was approaching the palace, he quickly dove down at the palace entrance, he didn't just want to barge in. Quickly, a guard said, "Hey, who are you and what are you doing here?" Gradient then said, "I'm Gradient, the co-founder of Judgement, I've come to give my gratitude to Queen Glacier." The guard scoffed and said, "Anyone can claim to be some founder or whatever, do you have any proof?"
Before, Gradient could another guard in higher ranking armor came out, Gradient recognized them from Scarlet's arena and they seemed to recognize him, "Gradient, it is a pleasure to see you again." They said, Gradient bowed in response and said, "Nice to know some of the dragons I freed are doing well." The first guard seemed embarrassed as he realized Gradient was really Gradient, so he stepped out of the way as the second guard began to lead Gradient off.
"So, what's your name?" Gradient asked the guard, the guard then said, "Icepop, anyways, I heard your here to see the queen, well let me tell you something, she is very grateful for your help freeing me and my companions, she even said you'd be pretty high on the rankings if you were on them." Icepop said the last part in a half joking manner.
Icepop kept talking as they walked towards the Queen's throne room, "You're actually quite the legend around here, many dragons have you to thank for their friends and families finally returning home." Icepop had a smile on his face telling Gradient that someone was happy to see him alive when he returned.
Suddenly, Icepop stopped in front of the entrance and said, "Well, I should stay out here, hope all goes well for you." Then he walked off, Gradient stood to the side the entrance slightly anxious, he wasn't the best at talking to royalty, he was lucky with his words with Scarlet and he knew Ruby for a long time but this was a new dragon.
Quickly swallowing whatever anxiety had built up in his thoat, Gradient stepped in to the throne room, quickly approaching the throne Queen Glacier sat upon, he quickly bowed before sitting up straight.
"Hello, little hybrid, may I ask what you are doing here?" Glacier asked gently, at which point Gradient spotted a sleeping Blaze at her side wrapped in animal fur, Gradient quickly then said, "oh um... I'm Gradient and um, I actually came to thank you for sending the extra guards."
Glacier seemed surprised and seemed to view Gradient with an eye that seemed to catch every detail and difference he had, Glacier then said, "Interesting, you are... Smaller and thinner than I expected from someone with your name and your fur is quite a mess." Blaze was suddenly stirred by the mention of a messy fur and said, "Oh, no is something in my fur?"
Blaze then let out a sigh of relief as she realized her fur wasn't a mess at all, she then seemed to notice Gradient, "Oh my, who is this messy dragonet?" Blaze aimed the question at Glacier but Gradient was quick to wander her, "Um... I'm Gradient and I'm not a dragonet." Gradient said calmly, Blaze then seemed shocked and said, "Oh, Glacier told me of you, you freed many icewings from Scarlet! Oh as an act of thanks I'll clean up your fur!"
Gradient hesitated as he hated managing his fur but it would give him time to also give Glacier the gift he had gotten as thanks, "O-Ok... But... Um... Please don't brush to hard..." Blaze nodded and pulled out a small wooden comb and began brushing Gradient's long unmanaged fur.
"So, Queen Glacier, I als-" As Gradient was talking Blaze grabbed his face gently and examined him before saying, "I think this fur would look better swooped to the left." Her voice was as if she were speaking to herself and him, Gradient the continued, "I also brought a small gift."
Tossing a small pouch over to Glacier as Blaze brushed his fur, Glacier opened it and found a silver and sapphire ring, Gradient then said, "That was my mother's animus protection ring, it prevented any magic from causing her harm or messing with her mind."
Glacier seemed a small bit surprised before putting it on and saying, "Thank you, although I hope this ring never needs to use its animus effect." Gradient smiled and nodded in agreement as Blaze then finished brushing and said, "You look stunning, although I suggest getting some black earrings to really make your look pop."
Gradient nodded and bowed again before leaving, as he was exiting the castle he stopped as he saw his reflection, his fur was still fluffy as usual but it was in a way that made it seem sleek and beautiful. Gradient admired his look for a moment, he loved it but he wasn't one to keep up good looks so he'd just enjoy it while it lasted.
