^^; I had a dream where I was the main character of an RPG. That inspired this. I-I don't really know what to say. There will be multiple pairings like PurCan, AmePan, and GerIta. I'm honestly torn between FrUK and FRussia for this story. So for that I would love fan opinion in PM or review form; either is fine but it should come in chapter 4 or 5. While the main pairing isn't going to have much time together in this story they are the main focus of this story. For those reading this because they have me on their alerts I am still working on the end of Ballet of Life; I've just hit a bit of writer's block in a really emotional part.

Vash sighed, starring out at the sky from the window of his home. It was impressive for where he lived but not as much a mansion or a palace. Something was wrong with their world lately, like it was out of balance. The nights were coming too soon and lasting to long for early spring. It made the ranger think of a prince he knew for some reason…no, he was a king now. Sure he wasn't much of one his arranged marriage wife often protecting him but he was still a king. "Roderich…"

"Something wrong, big brother?" The young blond man jumped, turning his gaze to his little sister. Well…she wasn't really his sister but he took her in when no one else word and now the two were like siblings. As always she looked lovely despite the condition of her lavender purple skirt and off white shirt. Maybe he should buy her a new dress, it had been half a year which was when he'd usually treat her to one. Vash frowned, seeing that she had again trimmed her hair to stay similar to his.

Living in a small farm they didn't have to worry about neighbors complaining but the retired mercenary felt angry that it meant he couldn't take her to the nearby village because of how frowned upon it was for a woman to wear her hair short on purpose without wielding a weapon. Naturally that worried him even more that she might never find a husband that he'd deem worthy of her despite her sweet nature. The young teen smiled, giving a small laugh. "Is it about King Roderich? You're worried about him, right?"

How did she always do that? "O-of course not! What gave you that idea?" It had been five years since he worked for that ungrateful idiot! Besides, he was safe with Queen Elizabeta. Still….those dark clouds were worrying him.

"Oh…we-well, dinner is almost ready. I may some beef stew."

Vash just nodded, looking out the window. Suddenly his eyes caught sight of something: a figure running up to their modest home wearing a forest green cloak. Ever leery of strangers, the ranger grabbed his sword by the door and threw it opened, blade waiting for the stranger. All this happened in a few seconds causing his sister to gasp behind him.

"Vash. Calm down." The figure slowly raised their right hand, pulling back the hood to reveal waist length brunette hair and emerald green eyes. "It's me."

"…Queen Elizabeta?" Vash frowned, looking around her frantically. Where was Roderich?

"Vash, please. Let me inside. I'll explain everything once I'm inside. It's too dangerous to be out here any longer."

The young man frowned, putting his sword down and stepping back, quickly closing and locking the door behind her. Did this have something to do with the darkness? "What's wrong? Where's Pr-King Roderich?"

She moved around, quickly closing all the windows before speaking. "This darkness isn't natural. It's a curse placed on our people. And the caster of it has Roderich! I tried to fight him but I was powerless. I'm not skilled in fighting against magic. You were the first person I could think of to turn to, Sir Vash!"

Vash flinched at that. That was his past when he was a young teenager. "It's just Vash now and you've got the wrong guy. I'm a simple farmer and ranger, mercenary…knight…that's my past. I'm not that guy anymore."

"Vash, please! If you fear for your sister I'll watch after her. The castle isn't safe for me to return to, anyways. Roderich is your friend! He talks about you all the time! You might be the only hope to rescue him, to rescue the kingdom! If nothing else do it for the people of the kingdom! Your sister is a part of it!"

"…why me? Why not a wizard? I'm just a simple farmer."

"You're not and you know it! Vash…don't make me do this."

He frowned, he knew what she was talking about. Vash couldn't ignore it if it was an order from the queen of the kingdom where he lived. "…fine. I'll do it. I'll leave when dawn is supposed to break tomorrow. But this is for my sister more than anything else."

The queen smiled, clearly tempted to hug him but settled for a curtsey. "Thank you, Vash! I don't know what he wants with Roderich but it can't be good. I'm willing to bet it has something to do with his own magic. Sadly, I don't know where he took him, either. My best guess would be follow the darkness. If I may my journey here has been long."

"Of course." Vash gave a nod, escorting her to his best guest room. It wasn't fit for a queen but it was nicer then you'd expect from a farmhouse. "Rest easy, my queen. I'll do the best I can." With that he headed back for the kitchen. After dinner he packed up his things, reassured his sister, and went to bed.

"You really are useless. What kind of future king are you?"

"Father says wisdom can still make a great ruler."

"That doesn't mean you shouldn't –try- to be stronger!" Vash grumble, eleven years old and carrying Roderich on his back. "You should be able to defend your kingdom! And don't tell me that's what knights are for! You should at least teach yourself some magic."

Roderich laughed, a grin on his face despite his black eye. "Why should I when I have you to rescue me? You are going to be my captain when I'm king, right?"

"St-stop laughing! And what kind of question is that? I'm a mercenary, not a knight."

"…you could be a knight. Wouldn't you like a place to call home instead of wondering from kingdom to kingdom looking for work? You're a young orphan, Vash…don't you want some stability?"

"Why? So I can get attached to something? It's foolish. Everything goes away in the end, even kingdoms."

The young prince gave another laugh at that. "That's why we should enjoy them while they're around, right? And once they're gone we can cherish those memories."

"Idiot!"

Vash's green eyes snapped out, starring at the ceiling. "…why am I remembering that now?" He shook his head, getting up and getting dressed. Quietly he kissed his still sleeping sister goodbye and grabbed a roll of bread and some cheese to eat. With that the ranger grabbed his thing and left. Follow the darkness. His gazed at the sky before heading north, leaving the home he'd known for four years behind him.

Yay! I loved doing the flashback! I thought it was cute twisting it to the world I put them in. The fact that Vash was -once- a knight for Roderich is going to come up a lot in this story...and he's going to get mad about it a lot. XD On to the next chapter!