A Song of Fire and Rightousness

by Lord Maximus

For centuries the Black Forest has been a growing threat to the North and the people of Winterfell. In an effort to destroy the evil Ned Stark journeys to the centers with an arrow containing a poison that will hopefully destroy the evil. Little does Ned Stark know, his actions will forever alter the events of the world and the Game of Thrones.

1. Prolouge

A Song of Fire and Righteousness

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Long ago, before life was eventually born there was a vast space, the black void that was lit by the endless stars like torches. And from that endless void came a great evil, formless and blacker than the infinite space itself.

It was a manifestation of pure instinct to devour all in its sight.

Nameless.

Faceless.

Formless.

But before it could harm the universe the Gods rose up and fought this evil in a fierce battle, burning the evil out of existence. However, during the battle, one small fragment of the entity that was cut from the whole did not burn away. Unnoticed by the Gods this fragment floated away from the battle, drifting through the vast endless of space before eventually crashing on a newly formed world. From the crater it formed came a pool of a black tar-like substance that grew and expanded, spewing forests of giant black spikes.

As life began to grow countless lives were claimed by the deadly pit as it reached out and threatened neighboring kingdoms.

It was then decided by the ruler of the North to eliminate this threat once and for all.

---

"Why must you be the one to go?" A woman with red hair asked, watching as her husband strapped his armor on.

"I have to Cate. This evil is spreading across the North and if nothing is done then soon all the realms will be in danger. I have duty to the realms to stop this evil." Her husband said as he sheathed his sword.

"What about your responsibility to your family? Do we not matter more?" The woman asked, becoming very emotional. "You have already lived through two wars. Must you go through another?"

"I must. You and our family is more important to me than my own life." Her husband faced her. "But so are the people of the North. They are like my family as well and this is my duty. To destroy this evil that has plagued these lands for centuries, even before the time of the White Walkers."

His wife looked ready to argue but remain composed as her husband placed a hand on her stomach, over where their next child was still growing, a few days away from being born.

"I will return." The ruler of the North, Ned Stark said before climbing onto his force.

A man wearing monk like robes comes out with an arrow and hands it to Ned. "This arrow has been dipped in the strongest poison and blessed by the best casters in the realms."

Ned Stark nodded, sharing one last look at his wife and children before he was off on his horse to the black forest that was approaching Winterfell. Ned Stark rode his horse through the forest, dodging the spikes that erupted from the ground as he rode deeper into the forest. Ned knew this day had been coming for a long time, even before when he followed his friend and current king into war against the Mad King, Aerys II Targaryen and the later Greyjoy Rebellion. This mysterious black forest had been growing and growing for centuries through the North and it was now growing closer to Winterfell.

If it wasn't stopped soon all of Winterfell would be consumed.

The journey to the center of the Black Forest was long and hard, with long black trees pointed like spears sprouted from the ground, missing him by mere inches more than once. He needed to reach the center of the forest, where the source of this evil forest existed.

The Pool of Darkness.

The stories and legends surrounding the Pool of Darkness stretched back for centuries, even before the time of the White Walkers and consumed anyone that came close to it. From came a forest of black trees shaped like spears and killed anyone or anything it reached. The trees would form cracks in the ground, allowing the pool to spread and capture unsuspecting victims and pull them into it. A truly horrible fate for anyone who was unaware of the dangers of the Black Forest.

Fortunately Ned's instincts allowed him to navigate through the less treacherous paths of the Black Forest, even though any path taken would be extremely dangerous and was the reason Ned chose to travel alone. Finally after what seemed like an entire day Ned reached the center of the forest, seeing the black pool from which the evil had emerged from. Ned got off his horse, patting it to calm it down and took out the arrow. First he dipped it in the special powder that he had been given by the monk from a faraway land and took two rocks, bashing them together to make a spark that lit the tip of the arrow on fire.

He then lifted the arrow and readied his bow aiming at the sun that seemed to dim in the center of this evil place. He released the arrow and watched as it shot up towards the sun and then fell down into the center of the pool, releasing a blast of fire that spreads across the pool. Ned watched as the trees in the pool began to sink back down into the black tar they had been made from. For a second Ned thought it was finally over but then he saw two flames emerged from the pool.

Then a giant tree shot out of the pool, a shocked Ned stepping back as this happened while his horse fled.

Ned watched fearfully as the black tree broke apart into a black oily substance that morphed into what almost looked like a tower that stretched up, almost touching the sky itself. Two arms sprouted out, forming hands with clawed fingers, curved jagged elbows and became attached to pointed shoulders that spread out and curved to resemble a cape. Six horns sprouted from the head, resembling a crown with three horns on each side. A mouth was formed with green lips with sharp and strangely shaped teeth and under the mouth appeared a red jagged beard.

And then the eyes appeared, yellow with a single black dot for pupils and atop these eyes were what could be considered the brows, only they were lit on fire. Ned stepped back, watching as the newly formed creature finished its transformation and seemingly stared at nothing. Then it slowly began flexing its arms and hands, making groaning and growling sounds. It spread its arms, creating dark clouds that blocked out the sun and literally seemed to eat the sky.

The monster then looked down at Ned Stark, understanding and recognition showing in its eyes.

"Ohhhh." The creature pointed down at Ned. "You! Thank you!"

"What manner of monster are you?" Ned grabbed the hilt of his sword. "My intention was to destroy you!"

Then it laughed. "Oh? AHAHAHAHAHAHAH! But it was your poisoned arrow and your hocus-pocus that set me free!"

"What are you?" Ned's grip on his sword trembled.

The monster laughed. "What a foolish question to ask of me! For I am Aku, the Master of Masters, the Deliverer of Darkness, the Shogun of Sorrow and your new master."

Ned unsheathed his sword. "I am Ned Stark of House Stark and I will never bow to you, demon. Nor will the Seven Kingdoms and the Realms."

"Oh, Seven Kingdoms? How fortunate for me. I will take great pleasure in burning them to the ground and enslaving the survivors!" Aku laughed as Ned charged forward and sliced through his black skin.

However the cut immediately regenerated and the small bits of Aku's skin burned through Ned's sword like acid, causing him to drop it.

"Ha ha ha. Fool, nothing of this world can harm me. It seems I will have to teach you some respect." Aku said pointing three fingers at Ned that extended like spears, becoming liquid that engulfed Ned and pulled him into the pool.

Aku raised one index finger and a pillar shot out of the pillar with Ned now chained to it, his clothes and armor torn to shreds.

"And now watch as the so-called Seven Kingdoms bows before me!" Aku laughed as he shot into the sky, his body morphing and shifting before splitting into eight smaller black comets that shot through the sky.

And Ned could see one of them heading for Winterfell. "NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Xxx

Winterfell

Winterfell was struck first. The Northern Lords had gathered as many of their men as possible to defend the heart of the North, but they were completely taken by surprise when a black mass struck downwards just beyond the walls and arose as a massive demonic figure.

Catelyn Stark gazed up in terrified shock as a figure straight out of nightmares leered down at Winterfell. She already had Rob and Sansa cradled in her arms while two guards carried Jon Snow and Theon Greyjoy, Ned's bastard son and ward respectively and were fleeing to the fortified keep. The Northmen manning the walls began to fire arrows at the demon as its eyes glowed brightly and unleashed twin beams of energy which blasted through towers and walls that had stood for thousands of years, reducing them to rubble.

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Aku cackled as the Northern armies surrounding Winterfell attempted to reorganize for a counter attack.

Xxx

Riverrun

The ancestral home of House Tully was nestled safely between two rivers and could easily arrange for a third man made river to cut off all land access, making it impervious to any conventional siege. But what came for them, splashing down into the water where the two rivers linked was a black form which grew into a monster taller than any tower ever built by man.

Unlike House Stark, the host of House Tully had not been marshaled due to the threat laying to the far North, beyond the Neck and beyond concern. Thus, when Aku struck and tore down the walls of Riverrun he went almost unopposed as the water began to flow into any rooms not above water level.

Xxx

The Eyrie

The Eyrie was nestled high in the mountains of the Vale, safe from any siege both by the terrain and its advantageous position as well as an army that was well trained for fighting in regions where most others in Westeros would struggle for breath and warmth. House Arryn, led by the honorable Hand of the King Jon Arryn, had been better prepared due to the constant threat of raids by mountain clans throughout the years…and yet it was still as useless as the two fortresses already under siege.

Aku overshadowed the tallest mountain as he loomed over the Eyrie, grinning down maliciously at what, to him, was a tiny and insignificant construct. He cackled and raised one fist before smashing it right down through the throne room, punching a hole where the Moon Door had once been.

Xxx

Casterly Rock

Casterly Rock was the fourth to be struck mere moments after Ned Stark witnessed Aku begin his assault. It was positioned in lands gifted with grand wealth from gold mines, and the Lannisters always maintained a strong presence to preserve order on the coast against Ironborn raiders and others who would dare to plunder the fertile lands of the Lannisters.

Tywin Lannister had been in the midst of attempting to salvage the increasingly depressing state of the kingdom's economy, a state caused by his worthless son-in-law who just happened to wear a crown. He was dipping his quill into an ink bottle when his chambers shook, causing him to quickly rise and grip his desk for balance before rushing to the nearest window. He looked up and gasped as he saw something that shattered his perception of an orderly and balanced cosmos.

As Aku struck down on Casterly Rock with all of his might one fact would go unlearned that day by all.

Tywin Lannister truly didn't shit gold.

Xxx

High Garden

The seat of House Tyrell had been especially underprepared for the attack. Olenna Tyrell's first thought upon the attack beginning was to get her grandchildren, her precious Loras and Margaery away from the madness. With her husband Mace rushing alongside her they moved to gather their children and grandchildren while their knights moved to man the castle walls.

Arrows sank into Aku's skin only to be fired back. Ballista and catapults did nothing to even slow the demon as he burned and smashed through structures with ease.

Xxx

Sunspear

House Martel had been spared the worst of the carnage. Located furthest to the South, they were given at least several minutes warning by sentries spotting the shape of something reaching far across the horizon. Doran Martel, fearing the worst upon realizing that the shape was flying directly towards Sunspear, ordered that his children as well as the daughters of his brother Oberyn to be removed along with their mothers. The Spears of Dorne were regarded as some of the deadliest fighters in the southern half of Westeros as well as most of Essos due to their experience in fighting unconventional wars and their ferocity in single combat.

They still were never prepared for what tore down the walls of their cities and began to crumble their homes into dust. That day the skies of Dorne choked with smoke and the screams of the dying.

Xxx

Storm's End

Renly Baratheon had never much cared for the wants and demands of those in the Court of his brother. He had ruled his small chunk of the Seven Kingdoms fairly and was well beloved by the people in spite of rumors regarding his sexual preference. He was in the middle of attending a performance of musicians in the courtyard of his fortress, one where even the small folk were permitted to attend and revel alongside knights and lords. After the latest minstrel finished and bowed to the audience Renly clapped his hands while covertly sliding his gaze up along the young minstrel's form, admiring a well sculptured body…when a shadow fell over them all.

"Hm?" He looked up, and his jaw slowly fell open. "…by the Seven…"

He had never prayed to the Seven in his heart until that day.

Xxx

Dragonstone Island

Ironically, Stannis Baratheon would one day come to thank his brother for all but condemning him to the volcanic waste that he'd been named Lord of. Once he had begrudged Robert's decision to hand Storm's End to their younger brother Renly…

But days after Aku's arrival when a messenger and a fleet of refugee ships arrived with news of what had occurred on the mainland, Stannis would thank the gods old and new as well as any others that he'd been given lordship of a place so insignificant and out of the way that the Shogun of Sorrows himself forgot to attack it.

Xxx

Old Town

The home of the Maesters was not spared Aku's wrath. The home to so much academic knowledge was put to the torch as Aku tore through the few defenses and mercilessly slaughtered the Maesters.

"AHAHAHA! Knowledge?! The only knowledge you need is to know the name of your new master!" Aku declared as he poured a stream of energy down into the tower which housed thousands of years of collected tomes.

"And now…" Aku grinned. "The so called 'ruler' of these pathetic lands!"

Xxx

King's Landing

It was thought to be just another day or drinking and whoring for the King of the Iron Throne. Just another day of finding another lady and drinking to the point he would mistake her face for his beloved Lyanna before passing out.

But then the sun was blocked out by a massive shadow that towered the great capital.

King Robert rolled out of bed and looked out the window, seeing what only darkness and for a moment he thought he was blacking out. But then his vision focused and it was him blacking out…

But a monster that had come out of the Black.

In another room Cersei Lannister and her twin brother had noticed the shadow and looked up, both of them paling as the form of Aku formed over the King's Landing. Knights scrambled, archers readied their bows, catapults were prepared and in the end it was not enough.

Aku barely flinched as he began burning through the pathetic remaining kingdom. "AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Xxx

Ned Stark has passed out in despair, watching as the demon known as Aku began his assault on the realms. He could not even be there with his beloved wife and children in what was possibly their last moment. As his body remained chained to the pillar made from the Pool of Darkness a light shined down from the heavens and a giant horse, its pure white fur shining as it touched down on the ground and leaned down closely to Ned. It snorted, releasing a gust of white dust that dissolved the pillar and freeing Ned.

The Lord of Winterfell looked up, seeing the massive horse before him and watched as it lowered itself. Ned knew what it was trying to tell him and though he hesitated he eventually climbed onto the horse, perhaps believing it was here to help. The horse then shot up into the sky, causing Ned to cry out from how fast it flew and held on tight as the horse flew above the clouds, flying towards a mountain that reached and seemingly touched the sky itself. The horse landed at the bottom of a set of stairs and knelt down, allowing Ned to climb down.

Ned looked up, staring up at the massive temple before feeling the horse push him slightly and snorting impatiently. Seeing that the horse wanted up to go up the stairs he slowly walked up the stairs, walking into the temple and seeing the massive statues of beings he did not recognize inside the dark temple. There was a flash of light and Ned saw three old men, dressed as monks who slowly opened their eyes. When Ned saw their eyes he gasped as the eyes were not a human eyes but eyes showing an endless void of space filled with stars.

And behind the monks appeared three giants, looking like the statues but now they were real.

One had the body of a man, but the head of Falcon while holding a strange curved shaped sword. The second had a blond beard, wears an eye-patch over one eye, and dressed in a tunic of white and gold, with a large winged helmet. He had an air of benevolence and wisdom as well as respect and awe for the power he wields. As an immortal God, his entire being shone with a divine yet serene light, just like how the other two did.

The third had blue skin, six arms, golden armor and held a golden bow in his hands.

"You have been chosen." The God with the Falcon head spoke.

"An ancient evil has resurrected itself on thy world." The bearded God spoke next.

"This evil can only be destroyed by the power of a spirit of righteousness." The six armed God spoke.

The Gods looked down at Ned and beams of light shot from their eyes, colliding with Ned and in a blast of light an orb of pure light emerged from Ned's chest. The monks each held a giant hammer and one by one brought them down on the orb, shaping it as the Gods shined the light from their eyes on the orb of light with each strike. Ned watched in awe as the light was shaped into a sword, a broadsword that resembled his own sword, Ice.

The sword floated towards Ned who hesitantly grasped it and in a flash of divine light he wore armor that shined with a divine azure light. He usually preferred leathers and chainmail, and yet the armor he wore felt light as a feather despite looking like the plate armor favored by knights such as the Kingsguard.

"This sword was forged from the righteous energy within thee." The Bearded God spoke.

"It possesses the power to destroy this evil force." The Falcon God continued.

"But be warned. This evil wields magic not of this world." The Six-Armed God said. "And should your family survive, speak to your wife of the promise she made."

Ned looked up at the Gods in confusion.

"The son of thy sister was made to be sick by your wife who prayed that he'd die. When he was dying she reneged on her contempt and prayed again to raise him as her son should he live. Another promise was made just as you were chosen and should you live seek out your wife, fulfill this promise and should this evil survive ensure that a plan is made to counter this evil if it ever rises again." The Bearded God declared.

Ned was shocked his wife would make such a promise but it didn't matter now. What mattered now was stopping the Great Demon from destroying the world. The eyes of the Gods glowed again and before Ned appeared a giant white wolf…no…a proud and strong Direwolf which knelt down before him.

"Behold, White Fang. He will be your ally in the battle against this evil." The Gods declared before vanishing and leaving Ned in alone in the temple with the wolf.

Ned looked at the giant wolf, White Fang and nodded as he hopped on its back. "Let us go!"

White Fang howled as he shot out of the temple, flying through the sky like the horse that brought Ned to the temple. Ned looked down and saw devastation across the land, seeing all the kingdoms suffering under the attacks of Aku but White Fang was set for one destination:

King's Landing.

Xxx

Aku laughed as he burst through the walls of the throne room, savoring the screams of terror of the mortals from the burning city and the knights who trembled before him. And before him was the so-called Iron Throne with the King standing ready with his sword in both hands. Aku's eyes flashed and beams of yellow flames erupted from them, burning through the foolish knights that stood in his way while he lashed out with one hand and Robert flying into the wall with enough force he went right through it.

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! This is the great King of these miserable lands?" Aku laughed again. "Pathetic. What fools would ever follow such a pathetic creature?"

Through sky above King's Landing came a white streak that moved with such speed that barely anyone noticed it.

Even Aku as he moved to the Iron Throne, looking it over. "Impressive design but I can think of a better throne."

"DEMON!"

Aku turned around, seeing a white blur just as he felt something cut through his body. "AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"

Something had cut itself deep in his body, burning through the darkness that he was made before he regenerated. In the other kingdoms all the copies of Aku screamed out, feeling a great pain. Aku gritted his teeth and looked the thing that had the audacity to attack him. It was a large white wolf, bigger than a horse with a man wearing blue shining armor.

A man that Aku recognized. "You again? What is this?"

"This, demon is your end!" Ned held up his sword. "This sword has been forged from the human spirit. It represents all that is good and its purpose is to destroy you!"

Aku glared darkly. "Bah!"

With that Aku shot his eye-beams at Ned and White Fang jumped out of the way. Aku gritted his teeth as he continued to fire his eye-beams at the annoying mortal that would not stay still. Finally White Fang charged at Aku and Ned leapt up, slicing his side through Aku again.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" Aku howled while his duplicates followed his reaction of the pain he felt and unleashed a sonic blast that White Gang dodged, blowing away a part of the castle.

Aku glared at Ned and White Fang, growling before his body morphed into a vortex of darkness. Ned watched as Aku shape-shifted, the vortex becoming a giant black skinned ape while retaining his face. Aku sent a giant fist at Ned who quickly dodged. Ned leapt back onto White Fang and they raced through the hole in the wall, flying out of the castle with Aku chasing after him. In the distant kingdoms Aku's duplicates shot up into the sky and flew to King's Landing.

Aku leapt up at Ned and White Fang and Ned ducked under a massive fist before swinging his sword up and cutting the hand off. Aku's body morphed again, becoming a dragon that flew up at White Fang and Ned and snapped his jaws at them. The divine wolf shot up, avoiding the fate of being eaten alive. The dragon chased White Fang over the skies of King's Landing as Aku's duplicates arrived, taking the form of dragons and chased after the annoying mortal and his dog.

White Fang slipped under the wings of one Aku and Ned cut through the wing, knocking one dragon out of the sky while White Fang bit into the tail of another dragon that screamed and flew into a third. Ned aimed White Fang down to the city below as the other dragons chased after them. One dragon landed down in Ned's path and morphed into scorpion. Ned ducked as the scorpion launched its stinger at him and White Fang leapt over the scorpion.

Another dragon flew in, becoming a massive snake that lunged at White Fang only to be snatched up in the Direwolf's jaws and torn in half. As the two fought to cut through the swath of animals which Aku sent at them, a smaller snake slithered up towards Ned from behind. It began to raise itself up off of the ground and opened its mouth, revealing a pair of fangs with enlarged before it lunged forward.

"NED!"

The snake struck something solid and sank its fangs clean through a thick metal shield…wielded in the beefy arms of King Robert Baratheon himself!

"Fuck off you!" He hollered and swung the shield against the ground, causing the minor fragment of Aku to release it and slither away before Ned could cut it apart. "Ned what in the Seven is going on?!"

Ned cracked a smile at the sight of his old friend. "…you've gotten fat, that's what."

Robert frowned and looked down…and then bellowed in laughter. "Seriously though, the fuck is happening?"

"A demon from the blackest hell, that is what." Ned answered, holding up his sword. "I don't know how it's possible…but I think the actual gods themselves gave me this to end this monster's rampage."

Robert stared at Ned before looking at the Direwolf which was gnawing on the remains of a dissolving scorpion. "…and the wolf?"

"White Fang?" Ned nodded. "Another gift. Same gods."

"So…you expect me to believe that the Seven themselves chose you to stop this…demon?" Robert asked carefully.

"No…not the Seven." Ned shook his head. "But close enough. Robert, this sword can and has wounded Aku. You heard his screams, you've seen every other blade melt at his touch. It is the only thing that can kill this monster no matter what form it takes!"

For several moments silence reigned, broken only by the crackling of flames and the distant screams of fleeing smallfolk.

Then Robert let forth a booming laugh again. "Perfect! Fucking perfect! And here I thought the only thing I had to look forward to was an early grave! But a chance to fight a demon?! Ned, you always had the best fights and this time you aren't leaving me out of it!"

Ned shook his head. "Robert, there's only one sword that can cut through Aku, and we are two."

"Well that won't stop me, never stopped us from havin' eachother's back." Robert picked up a second shield. "Besides, I think you might appreciate having an extra hand right about now."

One of the remaining Aku's morphed into a giant spider like creature and slammed its head down towards the two. Ned and Robert barely managed to jump out of the way and the two took off running as the spider chased after them. Spider Aku brought down his sharp legs but Ned swiped at them with his sword while Robert used his shields to block any aimed for him or Ned's back.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Spider Aku roared in pain and rage before jumping up, digging its feet into nearby buildings and launched its body towards the two like a missile.

"MOVE!" Robert grabbed Ned and pulled him back, the two rolling back as Spider Aku hit the ground.

Spider Aku lashed out with more sharp legs but White Fang leapt in, tearing at the demon's feet with its fangs. Ned threw his sword at the demon's head and went through between its eyes and out the other side.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" Aku screamed as all of his forms broke apart into a liquid form that spread across the ground.

Ned quickly retrieved his sword and watched as the demon's essence spread all around the street.

"What the hell is it doing?" Robert asked.

"Looking for a way to kill us." Ned answered grimly.

Around them, Aku's essence flowed like water…and began to fill the empty armor of fallen knights. Gold Cloaks, Lannister and Baratheon bannermen, common sellswords and militia alike began to rise again…their faces replaced by the grinning form of Aku. Hundreds of them began to close in, flowing through every street to encircle the two men and the Direwolf…

And as one they unleashed an unearthly cackle.

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA-"

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Robert bellowed, clanging his shields together. "COME AND GET IT THEN!"

The Akus became silent, glaring at the two…

And then they charged.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Robert bellowed as his used his shields, blocking swords, spears, arrows, and he even used them to bash the Akus away while Ned hacked and slashed while White Fang charged through them, hacking them with its great claws and mauling any that ended up between its fangs.

Both warriors worked together, fighting back to back as the demon army piled on top of them. Bodies were hacked to pieces, screams echoed through the skies as blood was shed. Ned's armor broke apart under the constant attacks but he kept on fighting. Robert screamed in exhilaration no matter how many times he had been hit by arrows, swords and spears.

For him this was what he had been hoping for ever since he found the job of being King not as fun as he thought it was.

Fighting side by side with the brother he chose made him feel so alive and he showed it as bashed two knights in the head and watched as Ned sliced through them with his so-called magic sword. Arrows pelted them, shredding the last of Ned's armor and the Lord of Winterfell let out a scream as he rushed the archers, cutting through them.

"THIS IS HOW YOU FIGHT!" Robert shouted as he slammed his head into another Aku, even if it wouldn't hurt the demon. "IS THAT THE BEST YOU GOT?!"

Ned slashed and hacked through the army of Akus as the sky turned dark and rain began to fell, drowning King's Landing as the battle continued.

Until finally the two stood, their armor clothes shredded, their bodies beaten and bloodied with endless cuts and bruises but they still stood strong.

And only one Aku was left, staring in shock that its army was defeated by two pathetic mortals.

The look in their eyes actually made him, Aku tremble and he did the only thing he could do.

He turned and ran. "BAH!"

"YOU WILL NOT ESCAPE!" Ned shouted, twisting his sword in his hand and threw it straight at the fleeing demon.

The sword pierced the armor, earning one more scream from Aku as he fell to the ground. His body liquefied and was pulled into the sword. Ned walked over and pulled out the sword, seeing the blackness that had been the demon that had caused so much death and destruction.

"AHAHAHAHAHA!" Robert laughed, dropping his shields as he walked forward. "This was the great demon?! Ha! I've seen soft sickly children put up a better fight!"

Ned looked at the sword, seeing two eyes glared at him. "Still alive…If the sword can't destroy him, what will?"

White Fang walked up to Ned and snorted at his master but Ned suddenly saw images in a way that made him realize he was having a vision.

He saw himself standing back in the place where the black forest once stood, holding the sword in both hands as he plunged it into the ground.

"I WILL RETURN!"

Ned gasped, looking at White Fang. "Thank you."

White Fang nodded.

"I know what to do. I must take this sword back to where this evil sprouted from and plant it back into the wasteland it created." Ned said, holding up his sword.

Robert was about to say something but suddenly became light headed and collapsed.

"Robert!" Ned was at his side and saw a deep wound in Robert's side, blood trailing down the body. "When did this happen?"

"Before you arrived." Robert chuckled, despite how pale he had become. "Damn it, Ned. You couldn't have been a few seconds early."

"You helped me even though you were wounded?" Ned asked as people slowly came out and approached.

"And miss out on a chance for another great fight? Do you know how bored I was, sitting my ass on that throne? It stinks. It stinks of death." Robert laughed. "My death. Don't think I can't smell it. I could always smell death when on people. In the Rebellions. During the fighting, the dying, and the killing all those years ago. Ha Ha Ha…But we took down a fucking demon, Ned. What better death can a man ask for?"

"I will get help." Ned said but Robert grabbed his arm.

"Don't bother trying to prolong my life by having an idiot play with my insides! Just shut up and let me die a happy man! I want the funeral feast to be the biggest feast the Seven Kingdoms ever saw. King Robert Baratheon, the King who died fighting an army of demons!" Robert laughed. "I am sure my dear wife would give anything to see me like this. Yeah…bleeding out in shit and piss, she'll love to hear that I bet."

Ned watched as Robert coughed out blood. "Robert, you can't die. This evil, it might return someday. The Realm will need its king."

"Fuck that, Ned! There's no way I'm missing out on a chance to die on a battlefield is like a true Baratheon, like a true King!" Robert looked up at Ned. "You've got a lot of work to do still, Ned. I don't know how you do it but I got the easy way out…You…From this moment on I declare you Regent before all these people!" Robert shouted as loud as he could.

Ned's jaw nearly dropped. "R-Regent?!"

"Yes, Regent! You got a mess to clean up here, Ned. So get to work. Find a way to kill that thing once and for all." Robert laughed, even as his voice grew weaker. "Hell, let the North break off and form its own kingdom for all I fucking care. Do what I never could, giving a shit about the people. You'll hate it more than I did…"

Ned Stark and the surrounding surviving people of King's Landing as King Robert Baratheon, the King who fought a demon alongside his best friend passed on. Ned stood up and looked around the people who slowly began to cheer for him.

"LORD STARK! LORD STARK! LORD STARK!"

Ned looked at the people and back at his sword as he held it up, causing the people to cheer even louder.

Xxx

The news had spread faster than any raven could ever hope of Ned Starks' defeat of the Great Demon, the title Aku came to be known for. The people of King's Landing came to fully support Ned as the Ruling Regent of the Realm despite the objections and arguments of Cersei Lannister but she soon found herself rapidly losing support and she had lost almost all the knights who supported her in the attack. Her son Joffery was too young to take the throne and with no support from the people or the knights who came respect Ned Stark for saving them there was very little she could do. Ned had immediately ordered ravens to be sent to every corner of Westeros, each carrying letters that explained the appearance of Aku and his defeat while requesting that all surviving Lords come to the King's Landing before Ned would return to the location of the former Black Forest to witness Ned seal the demon back into the wasteland he had created.

But before the meeting Ned was greeted with happy sight of his wife arriving with their children.

"Father!" The children ran up and hugged him with all their might.

Ned would be happy to see them, if he wasn't distracted by the bundle in Catelyn's arms.

Catelyn smiled as she presented their fourth child. "Ned, this is Arya."

Ned took the baby who cried slightly but stopped when she saw him and even smiled. Ned smiled back, looking almost ready to cry as he hugged his newborn daughter.

Xxx

Ned stood before the gathered lords in the throne room, including Lord Tywin Lannister, Stannis Baratheon and his brother Renly, Mace and Olenna Tyrell, Doran Martel, Hoster and Edmure Tully, Jon and Lyssa Aryn and many other bannermen from across the continent. The Master of Whispers known as Varys was also present along with the Small Council of King's Landing.

In one hand Ned held up the sword gifted to him by the gods, allowing all to observe the now pitch black blade…and the demonic eyes which glared out at all from within.

"Contained within this blade is the monster which has ravaged our lands and slain our King." Ned declared. "His name is Aku, and…to my shame, it was through my actions that this evil was permitted to rise."

From among the gathered lords, Cersei Lannister shouted. "Treason! He has just confessed to unleashing the-"

SLAP!

Olenna Tyrell lowered her hand. "If we desire to hear the ravings of an up-jumped child, rest assured that I shall be the first to convey that notion to you. Until then, sit down and behave yourself. You're supposed to be in mourning, so kindly do so quietly."

"Lady Tyrell, please!" Ned called out. "I admit that I share some blame for what has occurred. I attempted to end the plague of the Black Forest, and in my haste I unintentionally gifted the source of that cursed land with its own self-awareness. It had existed long before any kingdom stood on Westeros, perhaps even long before the time of the White Walkers themselves, but until only a while ago it had been a formless and mindless mass, devouring all it could reach. Now…it remains more dangerous than ever, and my victory over it today was both costly and temporary."

He rested the tip of the blade on the floor. "I intend to return to the Black Forest and lay this demon to rest where it was born. It shall be imprisoned for a time, but it shall eventually return. And on that day there is no guarantee that I will be able to confront him again…on that day a plan must be put into action."

Tywin Lannister stood up. "You have our ears, Lord Stark." The Lannister patriarch said, "But perhaps you could indulge us…from where did this sword originate? It is not Valyrian, nor is it of any make I have ever seen."

"That…is difficult to explain." Ned sighed.

In that moment Ned Stark prepared to do what he had often attempted to veer away from his entire life: lie his ass off, as Robert would call it. Or at least he would not tell the full truth, which was just as bad in his opinion.

"Aku initially defeated me, and bound me to a tree to force me to watch the destruction of Winterfell. As he departed I was…freed by something," Ned explained, "I could no longer see, only hear. I heard three voices speak to me. They told me of the evil that I had unleashed, and how it was to be struck down. My vision returned, and I found myself free and standing before three monks who gave me this sword as well as my new companion, White Fang." He gestured to where the vast Direwolf lay off to the side, resting and healing from the wounds it had gained in the battle.

"I've never seen a Direwolf of such size before," Varys observed, "And I can assure every lord and lady present that I've seen enough of them to know that this one is not any ordinary member of the species."

Lord Martel cleared his throat. "As…outlandish as this tale may seem, recent events have proven that such impossible things must be at least considered. Continue, Lord Stark. What became of these monks who gifted this blade to you?"

"They encouraged me to ride to King's Landing to confront Aku, and so I did. During the battle Robert came to my aid, he helped me to strike down every last fragment of Aku…but he had been concealing the fact that he had been wounded before this." Ned's voice dropped a bit.

He bowed his head a bit. "…We have lost a king, but I have lost my oldest friend because of my blundering. I cannot claim any credit as hero, nor would I listen to those who encourage me to take the Iron Throne for myself. Robert appointed me Regent with his final breath and I shall not repay him by stealing his family's legacy before his body is even cold."

Ned turned his head towards Cersei. "My lady, I shall rule until your son Joffrey is of sufficient age to sit in his father's stead. After that I shall gladly retire back to Winterfell to resume my duties as Warden of the North. But in the meantime, as I have said before, preparations must be made for Aku's eventual return."

Mace Tyrell spoke up. "If we currently have the demon captive why do we not simply destroy it now?"

"It cannot be killed by any earthly weapon we wield here." Ned refuted. "This sword is the only weapon capable of damaging him, and if I were to risk an attempt at completely slaying him again…I would need to release him, here and now."

Aku's eyes looked up almost hopefully at the Lord Paramount of the North.

"He must be imprisoned until a more permanent solution can be reached." Ned declared. "And it will require the combined resources and assistance of every kingdom, every house, every lord and lady in Westeros if we hope to achieve this. In less than one day this monster almost destroyed all that we know and cherish…we must not be caught off guard against him again."

The entire chamber became silent as Ned's words sank in, until Lord Tywin spoke again. "What do you propose, Lord Stark?"

"Should Aku return and I am unable to fight him a warrior must be trained to take my place. Whether it is a knight or a simple farm boy each kingdom should train its best warriors to be ready. Trained in every art of combat, the sword, the spear, the axe, the bow, and even our bare hands should all else fail. And perhaps one day should the demon rise again, the greatest of warriors will stand ready to strike down this evil abomination once and for all." Ned declared looking at everyone in the room. "And if that is not enough, we will ask for help from across the sea if we must."

"You would ask for help across the sea? From who? The Dothraki or perhaps the exiled Targaryens? Can we even be sure that this demon will ever truly return?" Cersei asked, glaring slightly at Ned. "Would you risk them returning and killing us to take back the throne?"

"And who would you look for as a champion of the entire world, my lady? This threat is beyond any threat the Mad King had shown in his time. He was mad but he was a mortal man all the same. This is no mere mortal contending for the throne." Ned replied grimly as he held up his sword again. "This is a monster who was born before perhaps the birth of our world, that consumed land and people before it was truly born and nearly transformed all kingdoms into wastelands of extinction. What use has it for thrones, crowns, and gold when it can simply take anything and everything it touches? Look across the realm and you can all see the destruction it had wrought. This was done without hesitation and mercy for it lacks anything remotely resembling compassion."

Ned lowered the sword. "All it knows is destruction and terror for any who would not bow down before it."

Before anyone could speak Aku began laughing from in the blade, his voice echoing across the chamber and causing everyone to feel a chill through them. "AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! You think you can destroy me?! Neither this sword nor its pathetic wielder had the power to slay me forever and neither did the Gods themselves! Imprison me now and I shall return and I will gladly strike down any brave warrior before me! And when all is said and done and I once again am free to smite this world I will strip these lands clean of its pathetic people and burn them off the face of this world!" The eyes looked at everyone with demonic hellfire. "And when your suffering and the suffering of your children no longer amuses me you will finally have my permission to die like the pathetic worms that you are! You might have beaten me now but I will destroy you all in the future! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Ned clanged the blade of the sword against the throne. "Silence, demon!"

Everyone in the chamber was silent, now slightly terrified by the voice of Aku and the promise he made.

Ned stood up. "We will speak again but for now I must leave to the Black Forest. Every second this demon remains in the sword there is a chance he may break free. I will see to the rebuilding efforts and ensure all is stable while I am gone. The Hand of the previous King, Jon Arryn will act on my behalf in my absence."

Xxx

Ned watched as White Fang followed him outside, the great wolf seemingly healed from the wounds inflicted on it in the battle against Aku.

His wife came out and greeted him with a smile. "Ned."

Ned looked at his wife, wondering what he should say. White Fang seemed to know as he marched up to Cate and knelt down. The Lady of Winterfell was slightly surprised by the giant wolf but placed a hand on its fur and felt how soft it was. Ned wondered what White Fang was dong and noticed the wolf's eye glance at him for a second as it nudged him and Cat.

"Is he asking for something?" Cat asked.

"I believe he wants us to get on." Ned said awkwardly as he climbed on and offered a hand to Cat.

Cat hesitated but accepted Ned's hand and climbed on to White Fang's back. As soon as she was on White Fang let out a howl and took off, earning a loud cry from Cat from how fast the great wolf was going. In ten seconds they were half way out of King's Landings and five seconds later they were out of the city.

Xxx

Back in the throne room, the various rulers of the different kingdoms began to disperse.

Cersei's first action was to storm to the quarters assigned to her family, followed closely by her brother Jaime and father Tywin.

"The nerve of that old hag!" Cersei growled, pacing furiously. "Striking me like I'm some commoner's girl. I am the Queen!"

"You were the Queen," Jaime reminded her, "Before your husband died fighting a demon. Now you are Queen Regent, and I'm sorry to inform you that that carries a little less authority."

Cersei glared at her brother making light of her situation. "And where were you in all of this? Why weren't you with Robert?" She demanded.

"I was a little busy after the Red Keep was torn open and a giant demon flung me through a wall." Jaime answered, bearing a few bruises from the experience.

Tywin sat down, holding a goblet of wine as he mulled over the previous events. "And now Lord Stark holds senior authority throughout all of Westeros." He sighed, "Until Joffrey is of age. At the very least he agreed to stand down once the time comes. Honorable Ned Stark indeed. Though I suppose it would not be unreasonable to show some gratitude for him saving us."

"He's some uncultured, up jumped northman who is stealing the throne from us!" Cersei insisted, "Do you really think he'll stand down? No man can-"

"Yes." Jaime interrupted her while pouring himself some wine. "He is more concerned with the demon. I know that you find this hard to believe Cersei but not everybody wants that fucking seat." He took a sip. "The question remains…does House Lannister intend to take part in Lord Stark's little plan?"

Tywin set his goblet down. "To exclude ourselves would be to alienate us from the other ruling houses. The Martels will agree, that much I am absolutely certain of."

"What makes you so certain of that?" Cersei asked.

"Because they would have influence over a warrior who will be trained by the finest across the Seven Kingdoms." Tywin answered, "And the other houses won't be hard to sway. To the Smallfolk and minor houses Lord Stark may as well be the personification of The Seven squeezed into one body, and the North will be all too glad to follow him. The Riverlands and the Vale have close ties to him and will be the easiest to convince to follow the plan."

He looked to Jaime. "And House Lannister and Baratheon have the greatest sword in the Seven Kingdoms in their service. We have no choice. We must agree, and Jaime will be expected to teach this prospective hero."

Jaime rubbed his chin. "Jaime Lannister, he who trained the second demon slayer. A rather nice ring to it, I'd think Tyrion would agree."

Tywin knew that Tyrion would also agree that they should participate. In spite of how little Tywin cared for his youngest son, he had been unable to deny that for all his whoring and drinking Tyrion did possess an understanding of politics far greater than Cersei or Jaime.

Cersei glared at her brother. "You can't be serious."

"Enough!" Tywin said loudly. "For now, Lord Stark will act as Regent and we will allow him to enact his plan. When Joffery is of age Lord Stark will return to the North. Until then we will follow in this plan and wait and see if the demon returns."

Cersie glared at her father but said nothing.

Xxx

Mace Tyrell stared out the window at the broken city. "And so, Lord Stark becomes Ruling Regent and hero of the Realms. And of course he doesn't take the throne."

"Lord Stark and his foolish honor." Olenna Tyrell remarked. "Still, he saved the kingdoms and the lives of our families. To act ungrateful would shine a bad light on our house. The Tullys will be quick to agree to this plan along with the other houses and the rest of the North and King's Landing will support Lord Stark now that he is a hero."

"Do we agree to his plan?" Mace faced his wife.

"Yes. At the very least we still have a chance to gain a chance at the throne. House Tyrell, the house who produced the next Queen of Westeros and the one who trained the second demon slayer." Olenna said thoughtfully.

"It does have a nice ring to it." Mace admitted. "Still, are we forgetting the concern of the demon?"

"Of course not. I was there when the demon spoke and I remember its threats. We will be ready, as will House Stark will be no doubt." Olenna answered.

Xxx

Lord Doran Martel made a note to gather his family and advisers when he returned to Dorne and informed them of what he has learned. Unlike the others he had no intention of staying in King's Landing for long due to the crimes committed against his family by King Robert who ordered his sister to be raped and murdered by Gregor Clegane, better known as the Mountain. Still he had learned what had befallen Dorne the previous day and knew that Lord Stark was an honorable man, seeking to protect the Realms from this demon should it ever return. Many people died defending Dorne from the demon and it would be a sight he would never forget.

This plan of Ned Stark's was a bold one but the House of Martel would answer for they were best warriors in the Realm and should they train the one who defeats the demon then House Martel would gain more influence and perhaps even gain a chance to take the throne itself.

Xxx

"There you have it. King one day and the next day you are dead." Stannis Baratheon said, looking at the dead body of his brother. "Still, you apparently died as a true Baratheon, brother. And of course, you leave nothing behind for your brothers. And perhaps greater glory awaits me now, should the demon who killed you ever return."

Unlike most of the others Stannis Baratheon believed that should this demon ever rise he would be the one to stop it.

All that was needed was Ned Stark's sword, and any person with a single hand and the wits that the Seven gave a turnip could wield a blade regardless of any mysticism surrounding it. Stannis was not content to be pushed further back along the line of succession in favor of some untested child likely still suckling at his mother's tits, and he had no intention of simply dying anonymously on the scrap of volcanic rock that Robert had shoved off into his lap.

There had been at least one silver lining to all of this: Dragonstone had a much larger population as a result of the large number of refugees who were unable or unwilling to return to the mainland. Now he could actually call himself a lord of more than simply his own castle and a few square miles of near barren soil.

Not too far away Renly Baratheon gazed down at the body of his brother, noticing how fat Robert had gotten. It was no surprise given how Robert behaved as king but still he could not help but notice. His thoughts traveled back to the meeting and what Ned Stark had said. His brother died a hero and Ned Stark was an honorable man and he owed the Lord of Winterfell for saving him and his people from the demon.

He owed Ned Stark a debt for saving the lives of the small kingdom he had as well as the rest of the Seven Kingdoms and he swore on the grave of his brother he would honor that debt.

Xxx

Jon Arryn had watched as Ned left the King's Landing on the back of his giant Direwolf with his wife, almost unable to believe everything that had happened but he knew it was no dream. And he knew that Ned had not told everyone the entire truth back in the meeting. He knew Ned from when he was a boy and knew when he was holding back certain details but he also knew that Ned was an honorable man and would have good reason for keeping secrets.

For now he would do his job as former Hand of the King and now Hand of the Regent to carry the rebuilding of King's Landing.

Ned Stark had saved the Seven Kingdoms and perhaps the entire world. He was at least owed the right to have a few secrets.

Xxx

As it turned out White Fang had brought Ned and his wife back to the Black Forest, the place of which the great threat to the world had been born. Ned got off of White Fang and looked down at the former Pool of Darkness that had been drained when he had been rescued.

Ned lifted his sword above his head. "And now to seal this evil abomination."

He plunged the sword straight into the ground and both he and his wife watched as the black liquid that was Aku was dissolved into the ground.

"I WILL RETURN!" Aku shouted as his form fell into the Earth.

Ned lifted the sword up and stepped back as a giant tree made of pure darkness erupted from the ground and almost stretched into the sky. The tree had multiple spiky branches traveling up its form, ending at the very top.

"It is done." Ned said, sheathing the sword. "For now."

"And now, our kingdoms are safe." Catelyn said.

"Yes…Cat, we must speak." Ned faced his wife. "About a promise you made regarding Jon."

Catelyn looked back at Ned, looking surprised. "A-A promise?"

"The monks spoke of you asking the Gods that Jon would die and then you made promise to them that you would raise him as your son if he lived." Ned said, looking his wife straight in the eye. "How could you condemn a child to die?"

Catelyn had no idea how these so-called monks had known but it did not matter now. "I did it…Because I hated him for being a reminder of how unfaithful you were to me. You brought him back and raised him despite what he is."

"Then why make this promise?" Ned questioned.

Catelyn glared at Ned now. "I'm a Tully, Ned. We do not kill children, especially not in a dishonorable way such as the Pox but it still doesn't excuse you for siring a bastard with a woman I have never met and will never see. How can you expect me to fulfill such a promise when that boy is a reminder of your crime against our vows?"

White Fang snorted, sending a hidden message to Ned. 'Tell the truth.'

Ned glanced at White Fang, wondering the message the giant wolf was sending was actually from the Gods themselves but they spoke to him about this for a reason and knew he had to tell her the truth.

"Cat, the truth is that Jon is not my son. He is not a bastard I sired with an unknown woman." Ned said, looking his wife in the eyes as he spoke and seeing the look of surprise.

"What are you talking about?" Cat asked. "What do you mean he's not your son?"

"Jon has Stark blood in his veins but not from me." Ned finally told his wife the truth that he could not tell her when he returned from the war. "Remember, I was not the only Stark who was in Dorne long enough for Jon to be born."

"Lyanna? He's Lyanna's child? How? Did she…" Cat gasped. "Ned…Your sister was taken by Rhaegar Targaryen. Did he violate her?!"

"No." Ned shook his head. "My sister, willingly went with him and had fallen in love with him despite what he had done. She journeyed with him in secret to the Tower of Joy in Dorne where they eloped."

"How is this possible? How do you know this?" Catelyn asked.

"Lyanna told me on her deathbed the day she brought Jon into this world. I swore to her that I would protect Jon from the enemies he would have if it became known he was the son of Rhaegar Targaryen. I protected him by lying, saying that he was sired by a woman I laid with, drunk from drinking to numb the pain of my sister's passing." Ned explained. "I could not tell Robert or Tywin Lannister of his heritage for they would have killed him."

"But Robert was your friend." Catelyn quickly said.

"And he went to war in Lyanna's name. He fought for the honor of a woman who did not return his affections, he who hated House Targaryen much more than he loved the woman he lost. If he had known of Lyanna's affection for Rhaegar he would have known his entire reason for going to war was based on a lie and he would have killed her child without hesitation. I could not tell him the truth nor could I allow Tywin Lannister to know because of his betrayal of the Mad King." Ned looked away. "Robert did not question me when I lied and Tywin did not attempt to discover the truth due to Jon's features resembling a Stark instead of Targaryen. I could not tell you for I feared anything I spoke would be heard and make its way to Robert's ears. I promised my sister I would protect her son and the burden was mine to bear, not the rest of my family."

Catelyn could only stare in shock at Ned before the truth hit her and she started to cry. "By the Seven, what have I done?! I almost killed an innocent child!"

Ned quickly hugged her, allowing her to cry on his shoulder. "It is all right, Cat. You know the truth now and Jon is safe. He survived the Pox and the demon along with our family."

Cat pulled away slightly. "Why are you now telling me this?"

Ned sighed as he held up his sword. "Cat, I have to confess, I didn't tell the entire truth in that meeting. The truth is those monks that gave me this sword, they were not monks. They were Gods."

Cat stepped back, looking at Ned in shock. "Gods? As in the Seven?"

"No, not the Seven and possibly none of the Old or New Gods. There were three of them, one that looked human with the head of a falcon, one that was a giant bearded man, and the last was a man with blue skin and had six arms. They forged the sword from my spirit since no worldly weapon could have harmed the demon and presented White Fang to me. They told me of a promise you made to the Gods regarding Jon." Ned said as he sheathed his sword. "They told me to make a plan if Aku survived our battle and to ensure the promise you made was fulfilled. I think they wanted to avoid our family suffering for a broken promise that none of us knew of."

Cat was shocked at what she had heard but she could that her husband was telling the truth. "What does this mean?"

Ned looked at the tree-like prison of the demon that nearly destroyed the world all of Westeros. "We learn from this and we must be prepared if this evil ever returns."

He held up his sword. "We must have a plan."