A/N- Love the love for Jaya and the Earth elemental in the last chapter 😉

Quick note about Skylor- she is still Master of Amber, but, though she can use any power she's absorbed, she can only do it at about 1/2 strength of what the original master could do at full strength. The philosophy there is kinda jack of all trades, master of none.

Also no combining two at once (tho she could do two different elements in rapid succession)

Skylor twirled a staff in front of her. In one swift motion she jabbed at her opponent's torso. The tall man stepped back, raising his own staff. The wood met with a loud crack. Undeterred Skylor dropped back a pace.

Holding her guard up she and her opponent circled, watching for an opening. Skylor leapt forward again. She swung her staff but the blow glanced off her attacker's left vambrace, his stance hardly showing he'd just deflected a hit. The man turned to the side and retaliated with a blow to Skylor's ribs. It was too fast for Skylor to dodge completely. She gasped in pain, the blow connecting hard despite the leather armor she wore.

Anger pulsed within her and she planted the staff on the ground. Throwing her weight onto it she lifted off, aiming a flying kick at his torso. He shifted sideways, exiting Skylor's line of vision. Before she could react a crack resounded. Her staff jerked sideways beneath her. Losing her grip and balance Skylor fell hard onto the floor, the staff rolling several feet away. Winded she could only stare at the wood inches from her chest. Rolling her eyes in defeat she tapped the ground. The staff was quickly replaced by a hand.

Cool blue eyes met her brown ones. "You're getting better, Princess."

Skylor's scoff echoed through the cement room, but she took his hand. "And yet you continually get the best of me, Captain Zane."

"I simply have had more practice than you, Your Highness." The platinum haired man stated matter-of-factly. "And if I may say; from failure we learn, from success... not so much."

Sighing, Skylor left her staff on the mat and walked to a pitcher of water sitting in the corner of the room. A male servant scurried to place the discarded weapon on its rack along the wall as Skylor took a cup offered to her by Zane. In a rare moment of abandon she tipped the cup over her brow and let the cold water wash over her.

Zane stood to the side until she finished before pouring a glass for himself. He sipped it, his cool countenance hardly giving off the appearance he'd just been sparring.

Giving him an appraising stare, Skylor took a second glass. "It continues to amaze me that the heat doesn't bother you."

The young man shrugged. "I'm afraid neither of us will know the answer to that. At least not any time soon." He ruefully tapped his temple.

Skylor nodded. His fair skin and fairer hair- a rarity in Ouroboros- gave the impression that he was a northerner. Such a lineage would make his resistance to the heat that much more impressive. However, having suddenly appeared outside the castle a few years ago with a severe case of amnesia, they weren't able to get any clear answers. Instead of leaving him to wander, King Chen allowed Zane to join the royal guard.

"Rematch?"

Before Zane could answer a knock came from the door. Zane answered it and Skylor heard an indistinct female's voice. With a nod of thanks- and was that a small smile???- Zane dismissed the servant.

"Unfortunately, Your Highness, our time has run its course. Your father wishes for your presence in the throne room within the half hour."

Throwing her sweaty braid over her shoulder, Skylor barely managed to hold in a huff. "I'd best get ready then."

She didn't wait for an answer before exiting the room. The dull gray bricks of the spare training room gave way to deep gold walls lined with elaborate carpets and paintings exported from the far reaches of the Realm. Servants scurried out of her way as she strode down the hall.

Skylor felt the looks many of them threw her way, but she'd been used to that even before adamantly 'requesting' weapons training. What good was a princess who couldn't defend herself? The king eventually saw the logic in her argument- or became worn out by the constant request- and allowed for the one on one training with Zane. Though the novelty of a disheveled princess had lessened in the last year, it still provided the servants with something to gossip about. Pretending she didn't notice, Skylor kept her chin high and pace even.

It took several minutes to reach her rooms on the opposite side of the castle. There were faster ways, but using Smoke to teleport in her current state would only put her to sleep. Something inside her warned Father wouldn't be pleased with that. Whatever this was about she needed to be fully present.

The door to her apartments was already open when she reached it. Skylor strode through to a flurry of activity. Several of her ladies in waiting ran about the room. Some carried trays with food, silks, and Skylor could have sworn at one point she even saw a live chicken before the girl turned a corner.

"What is going on here?"

The use of Sound had the desired effect. Everyone froze where they were. Yet no one seemed willing to speak up.

"Well?" Skylor tapped her foot on the ground.

"Your Highness," A voice came from behind Skylor.

Skylor turned to see her personal maid holding a stack of papers in her hands.

"Chamille, I'm expecting there to be an excellent reason for this."

The young woman curtsied, her purple dress swaying with the motion. "If you'll come with me I can explain."

Noise picked up behind them as Chamille led Skylor to her bedroom. The deep reds and oranges of her bed covers and curtains normally produced a soothing effect on Skylor when she entered, but now she felt on the verge of 'seeing red'. The ornate yellow evening gown on her bed did not help the situation.

"Chamille-"

"Skylor." Replying in the same tone, Chamille pushed back strands of her black hair that had fallen into her eyes. Her signature metal bracelets clinked with the action.

Their serious expressions only lasted a few more seconds before both girls began to laugh. Skylor shook her head.

"What is this all about?'

Some of the mirth left Chamille's face. "There's been several gifts brought here for you in the last hour. His Majesty wishes to explain it to you in the throne room."

Skylor's smile dropped at Chamille's use of her father's title. "That serious?"

Nodding Chamille picked up a pitcher and poured water into a bowl. She offered it and a rag to Skylor. Carefully Skylor splashed water on her face and dried it with a towel Chamille offered. Without proper time for a bath that was about as clean as she was going to get. Chamille helped her dress then made quick work of putting Skylor's hair in a braided up-do. In just under ten minutes Skylor had transformed from the sweaty warrior in training to the picture of poise and elegance.

Skylor trailed the image of herself in the mirror. She wasn't unfamiliar with her appearance but the drastic change that had just taken place left her... hollow. The girl in the mirror knew the correct times to smile, to make small talk or be a gracious host, but Skylor's fingers twitched for the feeling of the staff in her hands.

"Your Highness..." Chamille softly broke Skylor out of her thoughts.

"Let's not keep Father waiting."

Squaring her shoulders, Skylor marched out the door. If any of the servants stared this time, Skylor was oblivious. Her feet led her subconsciously to the throne room as questions filled her mind. 'To leave me so little warning can't be a good sign. Either something has just happened or he didn't want to give me time to prepare...' Skylor was inclined to lean toward the former, considering the king remained well informed of his daughter's training schedule. 'But that begs the question of what happened that would require a royal reception... or at least one requiring my reception.'

Two large golden doors came into view. No more time for questions. Taking a small breath Skylor nodded to the man standing at their side. The doors swung open with a creak.

"Her Royal Highness, Princess Skylor."

Skylor's eyes swept the room. The familiar red pillars sitting on their bronze bases lined a red carpeted walkway. At the end of which sat the King on an elevated dais. Behind him vaulted windows gave an impressive view to the immaculate gardens in the courtyard below.

A guard stood at the base of the dais. He bowed as Skylor mounted the stairs. King Chen sat on his wooden throne watching with impassive eyes. 'He's gone all out today.' Skylor internally frowned, taking in her father's rich red robe and purple headdress.

Curtsying deeply, she spoke, "Father."

She kept her head down and waited. Irritation prickled within her. All the questions she'd been contemplating begged to be released, but decorum in the throne room trumped any personal desires.

"Ah my dear, thank you for joining us on such short notice."

'Us?' Rising Skylor saw for the first time the man standing behind the throne. Black robes and hair blending in with the shadows, as if he was one of them, the royal advisor, Clouse, stood silently. The golden staff in his hand gave a stark contrast to the dark aura that surrounded him. Skylor's eyes narrowed slightly at the accessory. It wasn't one she'd seen before. The white diamond inlaid on the top seemed to whisper to her. She almost took a step toward it when-

"There's a visitor that I think will be of interest to you."

Skylor tore her gaze away and looked back at her father. "To me?"

Chen gestured to the smaller chair at his side. Sitting down Skylor waited for him to continue.

"Yes. It seems Prince Cole of the Trerian Kingdom has chosen to visit."

Skylor raised an eyebrow. Trerian was nearly a month's journey to the east. Nothing but desert wasteland and dangerous roads lay between the two kingdoms. Whatever the prince was here for, it was a very deliberate - or desperate- reason.

"Has he said the reason for this visit?"

Father shook his head. "He gave very little warning that he intended to come here. However..." Lingering over the word, Skylor saw an odd light come into her father's eyes. "However there are rumors he's an Elemental Master."

That explained why her presence was requested. Yet Skylor couldn't think what Element this prince might have. From everything she'd been taught most Elemental Masters lived in Ouroboros. If an Element wasn't here, the most likely explanation was the family line had died out. But that didn't fit in with this situation...

"An Elemental Master in Trerian?"

"Curious enough to begin with but... it's believed he is the Master of Earth."

Skylor couldn't keep her mouth from dropping at that. "The Master of Earth?"

Of all the Elements for this foreigner to be, it was one of the primary Elements?!

"That is the speculation. If he's not entirely forthcoming with that information, you will be able to tell if these rumors are true."

Skylor wasn't sure she liked, or understood, the tone of the king's voice, but she nodded.

A slow smile spread across Chen's face. "Good." He nodded to the guard. "I believe it's time to see our guest."

The guard bowed again and exited out a side door. Skylor and Chen waited in silence. Then, with a deep rumble, the doors at the end of the room swung open.

Two grim faced guards wearing forest green tunics marched into the room. They parted, giving Skylor her first view of the prince. Whatever she expected, it wasn't what she saw.

Prince Cole looked about her age, maybe a year or two older. With his deeply tanned skin and black hair he could have passed for a citizen of Ouroboros. He was broad shouldered and, even through his black tunic, Skylor could see he had the physique of a warrior. However, what confused Skylor was the way his shoulders seem to hunch. His head and gaze remained low, but it appeared to be a practiced motion rather than simply showing King Chen his respect.

As if he felt her studying him Cole looked up and met Skylor's stare. Weariness shone in his eyes and, in that brief moment, Skylor had to wonder if it was caused by more than the trip across the desert. Almost as quickly his eyes returned to a spot on the floor. He stopped before the dais and bowed deeply at the waist.

"Your Majesty." His deep voice reverberated easily through the room. "Thank you for consenting to see me on such short notice. I apologize for my lack of warning but time was of the essence."

"I must say you have piqued my interest. It's not often we entertain emissaries from Trerian, let alone one of its princes."

Skylor could have sworn she saw Cole's jaw tighten before he straightened.

"King Lewis sends his regards. It's at his request I've come." The young man hesitated for a moment. Taking in a deep breath he continued, "There have been... unnatural events happening at home. Localized earthquakes. Rocks moving and dust rising when there's no wind or storm. Since history dictates your country has dealt with a variety of unique occurrences, it is my King's hope you would be able to bring understanding and a stop to whatever is causing it."

Chen tapped his fingers together. "I see. There are several things it could be and many potential things that haven't been heard here before. This will take time to research."

Bowing again, Cole nodded. "Thank you for your willingness to look into the matter."

Chen continued as if he didn't hear him. "My daughter's 18th birthday celebration is in two days. There will be little time to start inquiring before then. In the meantime you and your party are welcome here at the palace until the matter is settled. What is your total so we can prepare rooms for you?"

"It's myself and four guardsmen, sire."

Only four guards? Skylor hid her another frown. If memory served, Cole was third in line for the throne but that still felt like it would warrant a larger party than five traveling across the barren wastelands.

Chen nodded, not expressing any surprise. "I'll have rooms prepared for you and your men."

He rose from his seat and walked to the prince. Knowing that was her cue, Skylor followed suit.

"Princess Skylor will escort you to the western guest quarters."

Cole nodded and bowed before the pair. "Thank you again, sire."

Skylor could feel the expectation radiating off her father. Refraining from rolling her eyes, Skylor extended her hand to Cole. He took it.

A sudden surge of warmth charged up Skylor's arm before resting in her chest. The strength almost took her breath away. She had been in contact with many other elemental masters over the years, but this young man's power rivaled any she'd ever experienced. There was no doubt in her mind this was a primary elemental master.

Through the rush in her ears she realized Cole had said something. Settling for a nod Skylor hoped her daze hadn't been noticeable.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Prince Cole. I hope your stay here will be a beneficial one." She gestured to a side door. "If you'll come with me I'll show you where you can freshen up. I'd imagine it's been a long journey."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Cole walked with his men to the door while Skylor looked back at Chen.

Her father was watching her intently. She gave a barely perceptible nod. A gleam came into Chen's eye that disappeared a second later. Unsure what that could mean, Skylor watched as her father rejoined Clouse on the dais.

An awkward cough came behind her. Cole and the two guards stood by the doorway, waiting for her.

"I apologize, my mind was elsewhere for a moment."

As Skylor directed the men through the halls she couldn't help but wonder, 'What is this going to lead to?'

A/N- I'm deliberately changing Cole's dad's name from Lou to Lewis. For this AU what I'm doing with his family is different enough that it's not the same character depicted in the show. More as the story develops 😉

Also here's the image I based the description of the throne room on for anyone who's wondering. (Image curtesy of Google)