Ahem ... Ahem ... MIC TEST. Okay!
Welcome to my first story for Fire Emblem, Fire Emblem Fates:Lonely Darkness!
This isn't my first time writing fanfictions as I have written a few for Sword Art Online but recently, errr ... I've been addicted to Fire Emblem Fates so haven't really written much for that. I'm currently on the Conquest route (Hard/Classic, Chapter 26, GODDAMN RYOMA SUDOKU) and boyyyy do I like Leo. So ... here's a fanfic for him!

This is gonna follow canon for abit before switching off to some original! How? Errr ... NEXT CHAPTERS!

So welcome to the introduction chapter! Hope you enjoy, leave a review on what's good (or bad)

Chapter 1 : New Family

The Northern Fortress

Annoying ...

The boy thought silently to himself as he and his siblings rode through the tall, dark gates to the Northern Fortress. It was a lonely depressing castle with little real strategic purpose except one. Keeping prisoners.

"Big brotherrr ... are we there yet? I'm sleepy ..."

Hidden from view by Xander's frame and seated on his battlehorse, armored in gleaming black plates tinted with gold, the high-pitched voice of his younger sister, Elise called out from the front. In response, Camilla who had been riding between Xander and Leo who remained at the back spurred her horse forward and beside Xander's, going to pat Elise on the head.

"Don't be sleeping now darling, we're almost there."

Good riddance, at long last ...

Pulling his black wolfskin cloak closer to him to shield him from the biting winter winds of Nohr, he would be glad to be back in a sheltered castle with warm fires and bright lights so as to be able to read his books. He had tried to read them when they first began their journey from Castle Krakenburg but his freezing hands and short moments of daylight in Nohr prevented him from enjoying his normal luxuries.

"Ah your highnesses, I am glad to see you arrived here safe and sound."

At the stables where they had arrived at, a knight and a servant greeted the royal party as they entered. The knight was quite old, at least nearly the age of 50 with most of his former black hair changed into brittle gray. His face was a painting of scars and wrinkles coupled along with his battle-scarred suit of black Nohrian knight armor which gave him the look of a fearsome veteran with the exception of a gentle light in his light brown eyes. He bowed down respectfully to Xander as he dismounted but the servant boy beside him was slow to react, standing there without a sign of respect.

"Pst ... boy, your manners."

He seemed to not have heard but a cuff to the back of the head had him glaring at the old knight for a moment before bowing his head, albiet reluctantly.

"I apologise Lord Xander. Jakob here is new to serving a castle but I assure you he meant no disrespect."

"Rise. You are Sir Gunter are you not?"

"Indeed milord. The Northern Fortress has been expecting your arrival."

Gunter raised his head and then beckoned to Jakob the servant who seemed lost, requiring the old knight to yet again, give him another cuff and a sharp whisper.

"The horses! Care for them."

Rubbing the spot where both blows had hit, the servant boy, Jakob, stumbled over to the horses of the royal party where Elise, Camilla and Leo had already dismounted and were standing with Xander.

"Apologies again milord. If you would follow me, she's on the castle's higher levels."

They followed Gunter who led them out through a sheltered path behind the stables and into the castle. Out of the cold, the torches around them provided a comforting warmth as they trudged onward to the objective of their trip. Back at the stables however, there was the sound of crashing and then a certain servant shouting.

"Get back here dumb animal!"

Sighing to himself, Gunter continues leading them on and once again, muttering another apology to Xander.

"Fool of a boy. Only reason I'm keeping him is because he's the only one she talks to."

"Only one? How is she so far?"

"She's been ... dreadfully quiet thus far. Only speaks to me and Jakob and even then, she doesn't say much. Poor girl ..."

He grits his teeth but doesn't say more in worry of antagonizing the royal family. After all, disagreeing with the way the country did things, especially in Nohr, was surmountable to treason and even death so it was better to remain quiet, even if it hurt him to do so. After a climb through the silent and empty castle, devoid of life and lavish ornaments unlike Castle Krakenburg, they reached the highest floor of the castle tower and Gunter proceeded to knock on the large twin doors.

"Lady Kamui, you have guests."

They were greeted by the billowing winds of the blizzard outside and without waiting for a reply, Gunter pulls open both doors and steps aside, allowing the royal family to enter before closing the doors and standing guard outside.

"Hello?"

Xander called out into the dark room. The only light source came from the moonlight blaring through the single tall window in the room. And the moonlight which they stood, a shadow moved in it and looking to the window, they saw who they came for.

"Eeepp!"

Elise squealed, terrified as she went to hide behind her elder sister Camilla. Leaning against the wall beside the tall window which was the only source of light, bright crimson red eyes stared straight at them. Silvery-white hair flowed slightly in the light draft from the tiny opening in the window which allowed a little of the chilly outside air to blow in, creating a pearly, translucent mist which shrouded her eyes and face slightly.

"Who ... are ... you?"

"We ... are friends. We're here to help you."

Xander said, pausing slightly to find the right words before reassuring the little girl sitting in the moonlight that they were not here to harm her.

The words that came from his mouth made him feel bitter.

Earlier, Castle Krakenburg

"B-But Father! What of the peace talks in Cheve? Was that all a lie?!"

Xander shouted out to his father who sat on his black iron throne. King Garon looked down on his son, slightly angered by his outburst but his victory made this emotion subside as he laughed heartily, ironic to the act he had just did.

"Peace? Bah! The fool was naive to think I would stoop so low as to talk of peace. Hahaha. GWAHAHAHAHA!"

Xander had hoped the war would end when his father left for the arranged 'peace talks' in Cheve but it ended up being a lowly trap set up by the King to kill the Hoshidan King, Sumeragi who came with the intention of ending the pointless war between both great nations. But to speak up now to his father would mean death. King Garon did not tolerate those who disagreed with him. Holding in the venting emotions in him, he endured through his father's merriment until King Garon finally calmed, a gleeful and sinister smile on his face as he addressed his son once more.

"You have a new sister. A captured Hoshidan Princess. She's my child now."

"What?! You took the Hoshidan king's daughter?!"

"Ironic isn't it! She's going to fight for us against her homeland in the future. If only Sumeragi could see his child now! Gwahahaha!"

"My apologies father, I'll be taking my leave."

Xander uttered distastefully to his father who waved at him to leave, still in the midst of celebrating his own cruel victory. Once outside the throne room and ensuring the black, gold tinted twin doors were closed, he punched the nearest pillar he could find to let out his anger. But one time wasn't enough to relieve the troubled emotions swirling in him and he continued his assault till he left a visible crack on the smooth marble before sliding down against the pillar, removing his gauntlet to nurse his sore, aching hand.

"Big brother ... Are you okay?"

There was a soft sound of hurried footsteps approaching him and looking up, Xander sees his youngest sister, Elise, dressed in a black nightgown. She goes to grab his painful reddening hand and goes to blow at it.

"Pain~ Pain~ Go away~"

It was impossible not to break out in a small smile despite the terrible event he had just bore witness to and after letting Elise have her fun for awhile, he goes to pat her head.

"Ish big brother okay now? Can we go play? Elise is lonely if big brother can't play!"

Ah ... lonely. That Hosidan princess must be all lonely now, separated from her family. Wait ...

Xander pushes himself off the pillar, going to carry Elise and put her on his shoulder.

"Waaaa, Yayyy! Are we going to play now?"

"We are. With a new member of our family."

Back at the Northern Fortress

"Then ... who ... am I?"

A deep sinking feeling. That's what Xander felt when he heard those words.

"If you are going to help me ... who .. is ... me?"

Walking over slowly, Xander holds out his arms to hug the little silver haired girl who does not react to the hug. Rather, she stays in his arms like a ragdoll, without a soul.

"You're Kamui. You're our sister. We'll protect you little princess."

He says while patting his head. He swore to himself that he would protect his new sister with all his might. What horror had she witnessed in order to lose her memories of herself and her former family. What kind of trauma did his father inflict on her. It was no matter now. Kamui was now his little princess and he would protect her as if she was a member of his family.

"Aww ... poor little girl. Big sister Camilla will protect you too."

The purple-haired girl also goes to hug the lost little princess. Elise, having lost her feat of her new older sister, joins the bandwagon of hugs.

"Elise will protect big sister too! Elise will!"

What a pathetic sight ...

Leo thought to himself, watching as his family huddled around an unknown girl they barely knew yet they were treating her with more love than he ever received. He wanted to curse himself for his ugly thoughts which revolved around his jealousy but was still unable to bring himself to accept and greet his new older sister.

Wait what ...

The red-eyed silver-haired mystery was approaching him with small steps and Leo found himself backing off, staring at the mystifying girl illuminated by the moonlight. He eventually hit a wall and she was right in front of him.

Why am I so ... scared?

He wondered as he closed his eyes, seeing her hands reach for his face. However instead of the cold touch of skin that he was expecting, he felt the collar of his shirt ruffled for a moment and then, the feeling stopped and he opened his eyes. In front of him, she smiled lightly.

"Your ... collar was inside out ... hehe ..."

She released a small giggle which lit up her face and now, Leo felt terrible for his envious thoughts before.

"Leo ... Sister."

Usually I have lots of stuff to write for my ending off notes but ... *shrug*

Its the first chapter! Hope you enjoy, more juicy stuffz next chapter!