Prologue

*The queen sat on her throne, her pet phoenix resting in an air bubble beside her, while she watched her loyal subjects dance and laugh and drink. She knew she would have to leave soon, so she wanted to leave them with this last memory of enjoyment, they might not understand her decision now, but hopefully they would learn to forgive her with time. She stood then, and waited for all eyes to settle on her, once everyone was silent, she spoke.

"I speak now, and ask that you don't question my judgement, for sadly, this decision has been made final through a seal of my blood and scales," there was a sharp intake of breath as they all realized the seriousness of what lay ahead, "Our own king Naiad, has been kidnapped and the creatures who are responsible have threatened to take his life if I don't travel to his location immediately. My half brother, Cratus will take over until I return, his coronation will be held in a fourt-night, for I will be leaving in a week." She said, her voice careful, so as not to show any emotion.

The people watched as Cratus, their future king, swam to his seat next to their beloved queen. They knew he had a tendency to abuse his power, but for the sake of their queen, they didn't argue. He looked at us all, stone-faced, and sat down beside her still-standing form.

"He will be your king, and you all shall grace him with the same respect you grace on me," she said, "And when I return, I will once again take my place as queen." the people of Atlantis cheered at that, they wanted nothing less than to have Cratus as their king.

Little did they know that Cratus had a different plan for when he became king.

*The carriage waited outside, being led by seahorses, one week later, for Anastacia, the queen. She was escorted by her three ladies in waiting, and Andreas, her royal escort. Cratus walked up to her and asked if they could have a moment alone.

"Yes of course," she turned to her escorts, "Leave me with him, I shall join you all momentarily,"

They nodded and bowed respectfully, for they still saw her as their queen, and piled into the carriage.

She turned to him with a smile on her face, "What is it brother?"

He didn't wear a smile on his face though, "Anastacia, now that I am king, you must call me by my proper title."

"Oh of course, forgive me," she said comically, "What is it, your majesty?"

He nodded, as if satisfied, "Now that you are no longer in charge, shouldn't I know the location of," he looked around to make sure nobody was listening, then turned back to her, "The elixir."

Her smile disappeared, "You know very well that only a crown blood heir can know the location, and I am sorry to say this, but you are only a half-blood,"

He became enraged at the use of that demeaning term, but tried to restrict himself, "But what does that matter anymore? I am the king now, and I must know," he demanded.

As he said this, the queen began to realize her mistake in making him king, he was power-hungry and stubborn, a very bad combination. What if he decided not to give back the crown once she returned… nonsense, he signed a contract, she thought.

"Why exactly do you want to know where the elixir is? It is perfectly undisturbed at its location now."

"Think of the consequences, what if something drastic happens and requires the need for it, what if someone becomes ill, what if a human finds out about us, what if-"

"Alright!" she stopped him, for he could go on forever with his arguments, "I hear what you are saying, but I apologize. It is my duty to protect that sacred liquid with my life, and that means that I cannot reveal its location to anyone, not even my own half-brother." She said, "Now I must go, farewell, your majesty."

He gave her a glare and simply turned his back on her, and swam away.

She sighed and turned to her carriage, they opened the door for her and scowled at Cratus's rude behavior.

She chuckled, "Do not fret darlings, he's always been a stubborn one,"

"That is still no way to treat the queen." Andreas countered.

She frowned, "I'm no longer your queen Andreas, you know that,"

"Oh but you are, we will always see you as one, until we return and you, once again, are crowned." He said. Her three ladies in waiting, Calliope, Agnes, and Doria, nodded in agreement.

With that, they were on their way to the king.

* Unfortunately, luck was not on their side, for only three days into their journey, they were ambushed, and queen Anastacia was killed. But the other four passengers were brought back to the castle, and it turned out that they were Cratus's men. He was furious when he found out that they had killed her, but not for the reason you might think, it was because she was supposed to be brought back alive, so that she would reveal the elixir's location. But now, he would never know.

Or so he thought.

Hey ya'll, i hope people like the prologue. This is the first story ive posted on fanfic, so im excited and nervous to see what people think, so please please please review. Peace :D