I had finally been chosen to become Tigra’s Guardian. I know I promised her, but I felt I was not the Animalia for the job, if I could not protect Ibiki, Edge, Finn, Rex and Kiba, how could I protect her and those also chosen to become her Guardians.

“Don’t” I warned.

“Don’t what?” Both Zack and Link came at me, their blades bared like fangs, ready to strike. I stepped back once, then twice, avoiding both of their incoming attacks, why bother it wasn’t like I couldn’t see what they were trying to do.

“Back off!” I snarled.

“Please don’t fight,” cried Dash.

Tigra backed off as they tried again. I sighed seeing it all before they had even made a move. I raised my hand, sending a single gust of wind, pushing them both halfway across the room.

“Enough already. I don’t want to fight anymore.” I shook my head, this was all pointless, I was no good to anyone.

I saw Dash staring at me, then at the others. He calmly let out a gasp almost like he had only just gotten on the same wavelength as Zack and Link.

“This is for your own good Fang.” Dash’s expression became serious. “Sorry.” I blinked and he was gone, but not just him, but Zack too.

“Dash not you too,” I sighed. “I don’t want to fight.” I refused to draw Raziel and Arata, I was not going to fight them or anyone.

I stepped to the right as Dash came in, missing me. He continued like that on for twenty more strikes, pointless attempts and easy to read. Link suddenly came from the front, still an obvious move.

Instinctively I drew Raziel to block an uppercut from Zack, coming out from Link’s shadow. Zack grinned, kicking at my right side. I jumped back away from them both, feeling quite angry.

“Back off!” I shouted. All the elemental properties I possessed circled around me, water, wind, fire, and lightning. I looked down at Raziel and Arata who both appeared.

“Seems you still have some fight left in you yet,” said Zack as the three of them lined up beside one another.

“I see.” They had all been trying to help me. “Fine.” I had recovered more of my strength than I thought, I even felt a little different, something within me had grown, but what I wasn’t sure. I guess I couldn’t fight it, even when a part of me deep down inside knew this needed to happen for the so-called path fate had set for me to continue.

“Fang.” Queen Daz said my name.

“I…” I hesitated, until Tigra took my hand.

“You are the only one who can do this,” she smiled. I would have kissed her right there but everyone else was watching, so I restrained myself.

“I’ll do it for you,” I said. “To keep the promise, I made you.”

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“Thank you.” Tigra’s voice was filled with so much joy, she took a breath and backed away.

“It is settled then, from this day forward, all four of you will be known as Princess Tigra’s Guardians,” announced Queen Daz. “Good luck to you all, she is a handful.”

“Hey!” cried Tigra.

“One more thing, you will have sleeping quarters next to Tigra.” I grinned when Queen Daz said that. I would be next door to Tigra.

“Of course.” I tried hiding my grin.

“Come on I’ll show you,” smiled Tigra. “You all have rooms close to mine.” Great I thought. Tigra headed off, wanting us to follow her. I glanced at the others before following.

“Awesome a room in the castle,” cheered Dash. “I wonder how big it is going to be.”

“The rooms are quite large, each one having an en-suite,” informed Zack, who’d been living in the castle with his father since he was younger.

Tigra took us to a wide corridor with a multitude of rooms, she excitedly stood by each one. “Dash here is your room.” She smiled.

“Really.” He barged open the door and headed inside. “Awesome.” From what I could see it was huge.

“Link, here is yours.” It was opposite to Dash’s.

“Thank you, your highness,” he bowed humbly.

“Zack your room is where it has always been,” informed Tigra. “Opposite mine.”

“Of course,” nodded Zack.

“And yours Fang, is right next to mine.” Tigra beamed as she opened the door. “Now you have today to get settled, duty starts tomorrow.”

“Right.” Dash jumped up and down. “See you later.” And he was gone.

“I will set up a few points around the city,” said Link. “I must begin preparing now.” Link bowed and headed off.

“I will rest ready for my night duties.” Zack walked into his room, glancing back at me. “Good to have you aboard Fang.”

“Thanks.” I acknowledged. “Get some rest.”

“Right.” He headed into his room, and I was left alone with Tigra.

“You know something else about your room,” she smiled walking in.

“What?” I followed her in. I smiled at the size of it, all opened planned. Sleeping area closest to the door, most probably just in case I needed to get up in a hurry. Two comfy sofas, a small kitchen and in the back a door leading to the bathroom, which from where I was standing was also very large, with its own hot tub like bath. “Nice.” I nodded to myself.

Tigra went to stand by a long wall poster. “This.” She lifted it up to reveal a door. “Connects to my room.”

“Really.” I smiled. “Protection purposes of course.”

“Of course.” She let it fall back into place and walked over to me. “Finally, you’ve become my Guardian.”

“I told you I would. I’m just sorry it took me so long.” I looked around my new room. “I don’t have enough belongings to fill this room.”

“You will.” Tigra came closer.

“I better get my stuff.” I was about to leave, but Tigra stopped me.

“I was wondering if we could hang out or something, you know like we used to.” She was going a bit shy on me.

“Sure.” I smiled. “But you do know we aren’t just friends anymore.” I put my arm around her, pulling her closer to kiss her. Tigra brought her arms around my neck, kissing back. Slightly pulling away we touched foreheads. “Want to use the bed like a bouncy castle?”

“You’re such a child,” commented Tigra. “But first we need to bring in some of your belongings, remember you are on duty tomorrow.”

“Let’s get going then,” I grinned.

“You think I’m helping,” she gave me an odd look.

“You already offered,” I responded.

“I did not,” she huffed.