Tale of Panthera Regina; Part 2

Chapter 13; The Great Turning and lost (Part 2)

The sun was shining the following day and today was the day of Rex's Turning. Like all Royal Turnings, this was held at the Royal Petra which is a stone with every pawprints of the Heirs on it. As regina, Mother will sit on the stone with Bamboo to her right and their youngest close to them.

At Mid-sky it was supposed to start. Leona had to prepare us while Mother and Navy get themselves ready and the 3 youngest. Bamboo prepared herself and Pola.

"Okay!" Mother said with bliss. "Someone else will be calling you in order." She turned and nod her head to Bamboo. Then she looked at me and Feles. "No horseplay!" Her tone was harsh, demanding and clear.

Navy smiled at Rex and walked outside with Mother.

As soon as the 3 adults left, Regina saw her moment.

"Did Aurora say yes?" Regina asked Rex, obviously excited.

Everyone watched our brother's every movement.

"I didn't get to asked her yet," Rex said with disappointment. "Besides it's too late."

"Rex, the Griffin!" An unknown creature yelled.

Rex walked outside.

That's funny, Mother said someone else. So it should be Falco but he die, so that means Tear. But that's sounded like a Mink.

"Regina," She looked at me. I thought the Warrior will speak for the cubs if something happens to the Guardian?" I asked Regina.

But before she could answered.

"Regina, the Snow Leopard!" The unfamiliar Mink called out.

Another possible answered out the Front Way.

Adamas gave me hope. "Tear is missing..." Adamas tried.

"Adamas, Crystallo, Carbunculus!"

There goes my last answered for today! GRR!!

"Catellus, Feles, Mel!"

We walked out and I noticed something off about the Mink. He had unusual red eyes, not common for his species.

You see, the reason they only call Rex and Regina's species because one it's Rex's Turning and in 2 months it will be Regina's. The Gems will have to wait for 1 year and us is 2 ½ years.

"Pilosus, Velox, Pola!" The Mink stutter when he said Pola.

Mother likes to think Pola like a niece or a adopted daughter.

The 6 months old ran out.

Bamboo told us that she may bare more cubs soon but no one outside of the family is allowed to know.

The 3 ran next to Mother and Bamboo. Us and the rest has to form are line of birth.

Mother walked to the edge of the Petra while the crowd of different species cheered.

It's Royal costume for regina or rex to stand of sit on the Petra along with a Heir but no one knows who is Heir.

Mother called Rex forth and eyes went on the first born. "Rex, being a Griffin means you are not Heir but it's still costume for you to announce your choosen Huntress." Mother told him.

Another point for the Turning is for animals to chose their mate and for others to know who belongs to who.

Rex looked queasy. "I choose, if she'll have me," He paused. He search for someone in the crowd.

Aurora must've known because she jumped onto the Petra next to Rex. She bowed lightly to Mother and stared into Rex's eyes. She was in her Tiger form, for show.

"Aurora," Rex stammer. "Will you be my Huntress?" Rex asked her as she blushed.

"I don't know?" Aurora said for a little joke that Rex didn't get. "Yes!" She said when Rex put his head down.

Usually the Hunter asked the Huntress before the Turning or an announcement (that's only for Wilds that didn't find someone yet.

Then something happen, Aurora's fur started to catch on ignis. She grew a wing, a beak and talons had replace her hind paws. A strange bird took her place.

For once me and Feles kept our mouths shut.

Aurora screamed as she fell backwards.

"I, I, I, I didn't.... sh-ift!" She screamed as she tried to shift back to normal.

"What is happening to me?!" She hissed out for anyone to answered.

Navy rushed to Aurora side, next to Rex.

Rex was about to touch her but she pulled away, fearing she'll burned or kill him.

"Navy, what's happening to Aurora?" Mother asked Father with fright.

Navy answered but he kept his eyes on the frighten ignis red bird. "She must be born on the Ignis Luna."

"But that's only a Legend!" Regina hissed, running to the 4 and then all of us, broke the formation as we headed over to them. Bamboo kept an eye on the youngest.

Father only look up for a second. "No, it's just forgotten."He explained coldly. Navy went back to watching Aurora. "A Phoenix can control her flame if she can control herself." Navy whispered loudly to Aurora as she started to calm down.

Rex helped his Huntress up as she shift back to normal.

Aurora was in shock for she couldn't stop shaking. Her fur turned brown like terra, Rex turned to mid-shift (a Tiger with wings). As she calm down her fur or feathers turned white like nix but this time she couldn't shift back.

"Help" A voice cried out in a small whisper.

A Golden Eagle came from the cave. Tear, I soon realize, who happens to be hopping instead of flying.

Navy quickly turned into his mid-shift (a Tiger with Dragons wings and Dragon like tail), he flew to him, pick the wounded bird up and flew back.

Tear's left wing must have been ripped off during the time he left us because he only had one wing.

"I have the Gift of Healer but it can't bring back a limb." Tear said. "I, I can't be Warrior anymore." He took his gemma from his neck and was about to break it when Navy stop him.

"You can't and won't die now!" Mother commanded and Tear nodded.

Leona later explained to us that a Gift will keep you alive till someone will take your place and if they do, you have a year to train them. That's when you have to destroy your gem. She said that if you get injured, the Gift will heal you but only a small one. The Gift is given to the Royal, the Court, Hunter or Huntress, Protectors, of course the InsignisKeeper and lucky few.

Leona was there and gave Rex his gem to close the Turning.