So this is a fanfiction based on an RP I'm in called Dragon Kingdom. While it takes place in it's own seperate world, I thought it would be interesting to write a sort of alternate-version of the story in the world of Tellius. It's supposed to take place a good time after Radiant Dawn.

More importantly though, I want to thank Dark Dragon for letting me use her RP and characters (multiple characters, most importantly Ruby and Pepti), and thank demon of razgriz for letting me use his character (Marco).

And in the case the two of you are the ones reading this and wondering "What? Where are Ephidel and Lilina?", I changed Ephidel's name to Sol and Lilina's name to Malini. Mainly because I got the original names from Fire Emblem and don't want to confuse people.

Alright, so I hope you read and enjoy this, and I really, really hope I update this. I do have a few more chapters written down, but whether I can fight laziness long enough to type them up (and make more) is unknown.

(Oh, and it doesn't sound relevant to the summary right now, but trust me; it will get there)


Chapter 1

"So that is the story."

The Royal Dragons stood silently, taking what King Kurthnaga had said in. It had surprised them enough to be called to the king as a group in these times of peace. After Ashera's War ended nearly two years ago, Goldoa had helped rebuild where possible, but it was never the Royal Dragons who were sent. It was their job to keep up the nation's securities in any situation. Of course, that meant that the last few years of peace had not kept them particularly busy.

"Now, we have confirmed that this is true," Kurth continued, "but not where it is happening. That is where the Royal Dragons come in."

This time the king stood silent, waiting for the inevitable response from the five Goldoans before him.

"So..." a Red Dragon spoke up, "our group is to search each of the other countries, my lord?"

"Group?" a White Dragon responded, raising his eyebrows. "I'm thinking individually. You know, to avoid unnecessary attention. This is still a top-secret matter."

"That is exactly what I had in mind, Pelipito." Kurth agreed.

Pelipito smiled in triumph over the Red Dragon. It sounded like he would finally have the chance to see beyond Goldoa. And that meant he could start his crucial mission.

"If it would be alright, my lord, there is a particular country I would like to visit." Pelipito added, making sure to bow. A little extra flair never hurt in front of a king.

"Oh?" Kurth asked.

He may have been surprised if it was someone other than Pelipito. Most Goldoans preferred to stay in Goldoa their entire lives. Considering how long they usually lived, that was really saying something. But no one who knew him would classify Pelipito as being like other Goldoans. He had a thirst for adventure, and an even bigger thirst for something else...

"So where would that be, Pelipito?"

"I would like to visit Begnion."


Just over this hill and it would be in sight.

That may have meant only a matter of seconds in his wolf form, but on these "human" legs, it would be at least another minute. This Beorc form could really get annoying sometimes.

Then again, a puddle of rainwater reminded him of this form's benefits. Bangs of his short, orange hair fell over his face, or so his reflection told. His wolf ears were well hidden in his spiked hair, so he could pass off as a Beorc when needed. His tail was a little harder to hide, but he found that curling it around his waist could convince others it was a belt, though he wore a chain as a belt over it. Just in case. That was, if he remembered not to move it. Of course, he wasn't quite as swift without his extra balance. He was more fit and tanned than your average Beorc would be, and while he appeared to be in his late teens, Sol had actually lived for nearly forty years now.

Besides, he couldn't afford to transform yet; the Beorc of northern Begnion weren't exactly "friendly" with Laguz. Assuming "not exactly friendly" meant "will kill on sight". And maybe "make clothing out of their hide".

It was really a strange place for the Branded to make a colony, but they had kept their true nature hidden longer than Sol had lived. They knew what they were doing. It wasn't like the Branded were stupid; Malini herself had dumbfounded Sol on more than one occasion. Or rather...most occasions.

But then, Malini was-

"What the hell?!"

The summit showed the colony of Pheon as promised, but that was not all it revealed. It was no surprise Sol hadn't seen it in this bright daylight, but he should have smelt it.

Pheon was on fire.

"H-how?!" Sol exclaimed, pausing on the summit to survey what was left of the town from his vantage point.

It was strange how you never realized what was important until you're about to lose it.

But this was not "realizing time".

He needed to do what he could to help. It was times like these that made him proud to be a Laguz. The amount of benefits pure muscle strength allowed was priceless.

Deciding not to waste time, Sol began to transform as he sprinted down the hill. By the time he reached the other side, he was a wolf.

With his swift legs and orange fur, Sol was nearly invisible against the growing flames in wolf-form. But with smoke blinding his sight and the stench of fire, it was difficult for Sol to get his bearings. He knew the layout of Pheon well enough from his many visits over the last three years, but the fire had even made sure to change that.

"They're back!"

Sol turned to the source of the voice, squinting to see through the smoke. His keen eyesight kicked in, and he spotted a man high above him, readying an arrow.

At him.

Pushing off both his right limbs, Sol leaped out of the arrow's path, unfortunately into a wall. As he tried to regain his equilibrium (and quietly cursed the smoke), the archer prepared to fire his crossbow again.

"You Laguz bastards won't take me!" he shouted, letting the arrow fly.

It was too quick for Sol, and it pierced his tail. Letting out a quick howl of pain, he ripped the bolt out with his teeth and rushed towards the house where the archer was set up. With alarming speed fuelled by anger, he scaled the building and found himself in the archer's face. Using his left claw to pin the Branded sniper down, he knocked away his gear with his free claw.

"You think you're tough for fighting an old man?" the Branded exclaimed. "What's so great about you Laguz? Why can't you leave us alone?! I carry half your blood!"

"He's wasting time," Sol thought. "Which means..."

The wolf rolled off the archer just in time to see a flash of metal. Behind him, a Branded female raised her sword and prepared for a second strike.

Sol prepared to dodge the blade's drop when he saw the attacker's face.

"Maria?"

The swordfighter froze, her weapon pointing up to the sky. This would be a perfect time to counter had he been looking for a fight. Of course, the archer was probably thinking the same thing. Deciding to take a shot in the dark, Sol began to return to his "human form". If she didn't recognize him, it would all be over; he wasn't too skilled at fighting untransformed. Still, Malini had made him one of the toughest "Human Laguz Warriors" as she called him. Especially with the chain she gave him.

"You... aren't you Malini's friend?" Maria realized.

Sol smiled. Mission complete.

"Yeah. Sol, isn't it? But...you're a tiger?"

"Wolf, actually. And sorry I had to keep it hidden, but I think you can see why."

"There are wolf Laguz?"

"Yeah, we're not particularly well known. But that's not important." Sol replied, motioning to the fire. "Just what happened here?"

"Laguz. Nearly a hundred of 'em." the archer spoke up, putting down his crossbow. He must have grabbed it when Maria charged in.

"Was it a raid?" Sol began. "Or was it...?"

The archer had shot with almost killing intent. Was he trying to avenge someone?

"Raid, pillage, whatever you want to call it." the main answered gruffly. "They kidnapped almost everyone."

"Everyone?"

"Well, not everyone." Maria interrupted. "We're still here. And a few of us tried to fight back and went out to meet the Laguz."

"What happened to them?" Sol asked. To this, he got no response. "And don't the Beorc around here hate Laguz? How did they even get here?"

"That's just it." Maria sighed, leading the others towards a staircase. "Freyr is widely known for its violence against Laguz, even considering the events of the last few years. That's why we didn't expect them to attack us. Especially not from there. But they were no ordinary cats..."

The trio reached the ground floor, where the flames were finally beginning to die out. Still, it didn't seem like it was a normal fire. It was...guided, or something. Actually...why was the town on fire? Laguz couldn't use magic, and as far as Sol knew, none would disgrace themselves by carrying torches. Tools were meant for the Beorc; the body was enough for Laguz.

It was still a little hard for him to believe. After all, almost no one knew that this was a Branded town; it was commonly seen as just another rural Beorc village. Sol himself had made that mistake long ago. Back when he had first met her.

"You're worried about her, aren't you?"

The wolf was caught off guard again; the archer was spot on in his guess. And unusually kind considering his macho attitude moments earlier.

"I saw them take Malini." Maria added.

"Take her?" Sol asked carefully, though his thoughts were more along the lines of so she's alive?!

"Yeah, I saw her too. Trying to fight them beasts. She's got real spunk in her." the archer continued. "She was alive last time I checked ."

(wow, spot on again. Mind reading much?)

"Probably got taken back to wherever those bastards came from...no offense."

"I won't associate myself with those Laguz brigands. They don't deserve the title of 'Laguz'. Especially if they have Malini." Sol growled, his hair standing on end. "How can people be like this?! Even Daein's Queen Micaiah is a Branded, and she's considered a hero!"

"But think about; have your people accepted us?" Maria countered. "Hell, people are still worshipping the Goddess Ashera, even after the war. Not even the Empress follows Ashera anymore, but some people just don't understand."

Sol couldn't argue with that. His outlook of Tellius and its people was often challenged by his wolf brothers. But it was commonly known that Queen Nailah joined the other races in Ashera's War. People could be so difficult to understand...

At least one thing was clear:

He was going to Freyr.


It had been nearly two days since the incident in Pheon. Due to the time he spent helping salvage the town, Sol had not actually left until this morning. But at least the rain had stopped Pheon from being completely destroyed.

But it had done its job now, and Sol wished more than anything that it would stop already.

Well, maybe not more than anything, but it was still annoying.

"I don't think it's much further. I'll save her somehow. I'll save them all."

Walking in human form (no telling when Laguz hunters would show), Sol was glad that he was on the right path. Maybe not to Freyr, but on the trail of the Laguz. Even with his natural wolf senses, however, tracking the scent had not been easy. These Laguz were far from the ordinary...although that was obvious from what happened in Pheon.

And what was about to happen.

"DEMON! Somebody help!"

It was a Beorc crying out, and not too far. Did it have a run-in with some of the Laguz? Hell, it seemed like even one of these Laguz were dangerous enough.

"It's worth a shot." Sol decided, changing his pace to a sprint.

"MONSTER! Go back to hell!"

He was getting closer; the Beorc was trying to fight back. Or so the scent of metal suggested. No scent of blood yet.

The Laguz seemed untraceable. Sounds of heavy attacks were clear though. And the smell of blood spiked suddenly.

A tiger? No, too graceful...

But unusually strong for a cat...

And it wasn't flying, so no birds...

Sol slid to a stop just before a clearing in the trees. A Beorc was on the ground, his now detached hand still clutching a knife.

"D..damn..." Sol gulped, instinctively grabbing his own hand as if it might fall off.

"To have done what you did and expect forgiveness..."

The other figure was talking now. The attacker, approaching the Beorc in human form (what kind of Laguz was it?).

"...is foolishness itself."

A split second later, the Beorc's head joined his hand while his body collapsed in a pool of blood. The cut had been precise; an instant kill.

And it had been done with a sword.

"Wait...a Beorc?"

Wiping the blood of his katana, the standing figure sheathed it before picking up his victim's pieces. The swordsman carried it with strange ease, disappearing into the forest. Probably to hide the body.

That Beorc was dead. Just seconds ago it had been screaming, yet not it was in lifeless pieces...Sol became queasy just thinking about it.

To make matters worse, the stench of blood overpowered the Laguz trail. And it wasn't like Sol could ask directions.

"Oh hey scary swordsman, do you know which direction Freyr is in? I'm trying to track down some Laguz that took my Branded friend."

But if he simply followed the Beorc, he might end up in Freyr. And he could pick up the scent again from there. Hopefully.

Unless the Beorc killed him first.

Please dont be a Laguz hunter...

Moments later, the Beorc reappeared with empty hands. And off he was again, perhaps to kill someone else.

Fastening the chain around his waist (to reduce the noise and whatnot), Sol climbed into the branches above him and watched the swordsman move. Once he was a decent distance away, Sol began to follow him, still in the safety of the trees.

It wasn't too hard; the Beorc wasn't in any particular hurry. Still, Sol knew how serious his situation was. One little mistake and he would be fighting for his life. But he knew how to trail someone quietly. That's why he was in the trees; on the ground, he could mistakenly step on branches or kick some stones. Malini had taught him all about stealth.

Time moved on in this way, and Sol remained unnoticed. Freyr couldn't be too far now. Even the scent of the Laguz was growing, as was the scent of people in general.

And that's when the Beorc stopped.

"Marco, is that you?" an unseen voice asked.

"Yes. I've done it." the Beorc replied, reaching into his pocket. And bringing out-

"The hand?!" Sol gasped. A little too loudly.

"Someone's following you." the invisible voice pointed out.

"So?" Marco responded nonchalantly. "I did my task. I need my pay quickly; there are other things I have to do."

Another Beorc, of much worse physical condition, came into view. Upon inspecting the hand, it handed a small bag to Marco. Probably full of money.

"And who will you kill next? I don't have any jobs for you." the unknown Beorc grinned.

"I have other reasons to kill this one." Marco replied, putting the bag away. "I've promised to kill the Branded girl by tomorrow night."

"Branded girl?! Is he talking about Malini?"

Without much thought, Sol jumped out of the trees and directly in front of the two Beorc. But on the bright sight, Marco's sword was still sheathed.

"I won't let you kill her!" Sol growled, arming himself with the chain.

If he had to fight, he was ready. But transforming from the start might provoke Marco into killing him. He needed to bait the Beorc somehow; lower his defenses. The wolf may as well start the fight in his human form and save the transformation as a trump card.

Sighing, Marco withdrew his katana.

"I have no issues with you," Marco said, holding his sword high, "but if you get in my way, I won't hesitate to kill you."


Okay, I highly doubt most chapters will be that long, but I had no idea how to break this into smaller parts properly. Hope you enjoyed, comments appreciated.