Hi,

I'm doing a prologue so that I don't have to explain a lot of things, and so you won't get confused, I highly recommended to read it and not just skip to chapters. This is my first time ever doing a fanfiction so please only constructive criticism.

Anyway hope you like it. Because I don't know how to do a prologue.

Also this is five years in the past from the actual story so she is 13.

PS: The next chapter will only be characters so you can skip through that one, I just thought it might be helpful to know anything you need to know about a character at any time. And I will update it every time a new character gets introduced.

Ruby's POV:

I thought having dinner without my three brothers would be fun.

But my parents were making it really hard to have a good time. They were just sitting there eating silently- which is not a good thing. Whenever my parents are not talking that means the have some sort of bad or good news to share, and they are generally bad at telling bad news.

Once when my pet fish died. They came into the room, and all they said was " It's really too bad Ruby, but your fish has died, Bracken accidentally killed it." Then they just walked out. They said this after about a day of ignoring me, not to mention the fact that I was six.

But of course I don't tell them this, I just sit there, stabbing at my chicken, waiting for someone to talk.

I clear my throat and lean up in my chair, staring at them intently.

"You know, when you said that Devon, John and Bracken weren't going to be here, I knew it was going to be quieter, but not silent. What is it. What's going on? " I ask speaking up for the first time.

My Mom sighs, but almost looks pleased "Ruby we can never get anything past you, how did you know that something was up?"

"You and dad have been whispering in secret for the past month, just a guess."

They look at each other, like they were making a decision. Then Mom turns, facing me with a smirk. "Would you like to know what it is, miss know it all?"

"Yes, if you would be so kind to finally share this sacred piece of information."

She smiles at me, but it holds no humor, then she turns to look at my dad and he speaks for the first time. "Me and your mother have made a decision,we want to go into deeper under cover, in order to learn more information, and possibly stop the never ending progress of the rebels."

Oh, the rebels, they have been causing so much trouble. First it was just minor protests, then they started attacking homes and people. My parents were working then too, helping people who where hurt, and attacked by the protesters. But then they got smart, and band together as a organized group made up of two's and three's. Attacking and trying to take control of the government, and our monarchy. Sense they were formed of people with resources, and some with already standing power. They took control of a reporter and magazine company. And they took stabs at the king and Queen calling them weak and unprepared.

Then they proved it.

By attacking. They managed to kill a third of the palace guard and capture five eighths of the palace staff. Not counting the amount of people injured.

Ever since then the monarchy became more secure, and up graded palace security, focusing their time on the rebels. At that time my parents were still helping the injured. But they were asked to focus on the rebels, and do whatever they could to stop them. The Queen told all the people willing to help, but the rebels found out and to prove a point - captured and killed half of the people that were sent to stop them. My parents were safe, barely making it without the rebels knowing.

I don't understand, what does Dad mean, the queen and king said no one could confront the rebels after what happened before.

Dad must have seen the confusion on my face because he explained.

"I know what you're thinking, the Queen specificity, said no contact with any rebels. Although she only said that because she doesn't want any more people getting hurt. But someone has to do something and people agree with us."

I nod my head slowly understanding. They think something has to be done about the danger the rebels but on the monarchy. So they are going behind her orders, in order to help them. And other people agree.

"Are you the only people who are actually going doing this?" I ask, thinking about Nichole, (my friend) who has parents who work with mine, I wonder what they are doing.

My Dad smiles, that knowing smile like he already knew I would ask that question. "Yes, Nichole's parents are going to be with us, but you still won't be able to see them as often." His voice is apologetic.

I just nod, happy that atleast I can see her. She is the only person I can really call a friend we fit together and are so similar, I would hate to loose her.

"What about school? Will I still have school?" My Dad looks at me for a second before answering.

"No you won't have school, at least not like you have now, a lot of things will change. For instance, even though the rebels are a fairly rich group of people, they have their headquarters in Dakota."

My mouth drops, Dakota is one of the worst working secteurs in all of illea. And Altin is my home, that means I will have to leave it.

"How did you even find out?" I ask stunned.

My Dad smiles amused, "Don't underestimate me Ruby, it is a bad thing to do," His face turns serious,"Never underestimate anyone especially yourself."

"I think the rebels under estimate you" I say my smile teasing.

"Yep, they won't know what hit em."

I take a bite of my food, Relalizing it might be the last thing I ever eat in this house. I wonder what living conditions will be like at my other house.

"Are we going to be ok?" I ask Suddenly. Scared for everyone's safety.

Mom speaks, now looking at me with a reassuring smile.

"Nothing will happen that you can't handle, but I will tell you, things will change. The house will be really small, and it will only have, a bathroom and a bedroom the kitchen with be in the living room. There are three beds in the bedroom, and me and Dad will sleep in one and Devon and John will sleep in another and Bracken will sleep in the last one. We are going to have to limit are amounts of money. That's why they got us last time, it was to easy. Food for the most part will be easy enough, but some days there might be a limit. And we are going to get you out of that self defense class you're taking. So you can be taught by the experts." She points a finger at herself and smiles.

Dad laughs and says "But sense you Mom is teaching you self defense I will teach you martial arts; Karate, Aikido and Taekwondo. I'am a black belt in all three."

I but my hands in front of myself to silence them.

"Wow ok,"I say,"Overload on information, slow down. I have a couple of questions. One, is all this self defense really necessary?"

"Well,"Dad says,"It is one of the most dangerous places, and the rebels won't be the nicest crowd, so i'd say it's necessary. Along with some other things, for example, you're going to need a job where you can listen in to other people's conversations, you will be a waitress. And you will also need to learn sign language and spanish, along with a couple of other languages if we have time."

"I already know Spanish and Chinese from all those stupid lesions, but why sign language?"

"It's the best language to learn, because in a dire situation, you won't have to talk at all. We will also teach you how to read expressions and understand certain situations, and manipulate people to thinking something when the opposite is true. "

This is too fast, too soon, I'm not ready. I know it's really cool, and I should be happy to take care of the stupid rebels, and help my country, I really am happy.

But "some days we won't be able to afford food?" Where is all are money going to go?

I won't be able to do any more fun free play? Will I ever be able to watch a movie at a movie theater again?

When will the rebels stop? When they take control of everything?!

Somewhere in between my anger of the rebels, and fear of losing everything. Tears roll down my cheek, and into my food. I try to use my shirt and wipe them off, but my parents already notice and came over to comfort me. Wiping the tears off with there hands. They squash me in between them, hugging me tightly.

"What's wrong Sweetie?" My Mom asked.

I sniff and Rub my eyes, "I just want to be safe, and at home. I will miss this place so much." I say, sorry to make them scared by my random crying.

"You will be safe sweetie don't worry, we have a protector." My Dad said, I turn my face up and look at him.

He's eyes were stained with tears. That doesn't surprise me he was always the emotional one. Me and him, whenever one of us cries the other joins, except sometimes I cry in weird situations; and laugh in situation where a sane person would cry . He group up middle class in a decent household which softened him up. My Mom grew up in a rough place, being a accident to her Mom and her Dad. She left them when she was sixteen.

Growing up on the streets made my Mom strong and tough. They met when my Mom saved my Dad from being beaten to death by a bunch of rich kids. He looked out for her sense.

I Look at them now and wondering how they could be sure I will safe when they weren't. "What, will protect me?" I ask.

"Not what, but who." My Dad said, then he looks behind him, and whistles.

I look behind him, where he was looking, and out of the kitchen stumbles a little puppy small enough to fit in a hand. It is all different colors Black on the ears, light and dark, brown on the back and white on the belly.

My Dad went over and pick it up handing it to me, I held it in my hands gently. It licks my fingers. I laugh scratching its ears. "This little guy is going to protect me?" I ask as he licks me.

"He won't stay small forever", Dad says,"He's a German Shepherd, he will grow up to be 26 inches, and they are normally used as watch dogs or dogs for military use. You can train him to look out for you and help us out."

I look down at the puppy and kiss him on the head. We are going to be best friends.

"He's all yours", Dad says,"What do you want to name him?"

I look at him for a second, lifting him up with my hands. "Um, how about Coco? Because his fur is brown, like Coco." I say after a second.

"That's a perfect name." Dad replies.

"But how will we pay for him if we don't have any money?"

My Dad laughs and shakes his head. "We don't have no money, but we are giving up a lot of it. We will keep a separate stack of money all for him don't worry."

"Anything else you want to tell me? What are you guys going to do? For a job?"

"Your Mom will be a music teacher, so she can meet kids and other people that play music, just to see if they might be rebels. Besides she likes music. And I will constantly be switching jobs. So there will be no point in telling you what my first job is. But sense you Mom is teaching music you can learn how to play to things, a fun little luxury sense there won't be much. What do you want to learn besides the obvious piano and guitar?"

" Electric guitar." I blurt out, I don't know why but i've always liked rock and it sounds fun to learn.

"That's a cool choice anything else?"

"Maybe something mellow, any ideas?"

"The harp " My Mom offers, she had always enjoyed the beautiful melody of the harp, and tended to agree with her. I nod that sounds fun.

"Something just came to me." I said looking at them,"You said where everyone else is going to sleep but not me. Where will I sleep?"

"Ok we have one more surprise." My Dad said.

I groaned, "Is it a happy one?"

"I think so." He answers looking at Mom, "You'll have to help us out a lot because of it though."

"Well, what is it?" I ask curious now.

"You're going to have a baby sister." my Mom said beaming at me.

I was speechless I just look down at her stomach. I've always wanted a baby sister but I never asked not wanting to ask anything of them. Now the tears were coming back out but they were of joy this time.

I hug my Mom tightly.

"She will sleep with you on the floor of the living room, I hope that's ok she will keep you warm, and you will her warm, and you won't be cold, is that ok?"

I hug her tighter " That's perfect."

"But, won't the King and Queen notice, I mean you having another kid and randomly moving to another place, losing so much money, won't they suspect something."

My Dad nod but smiled,"They won't suspect anything, and if they ever got curious, all they would find is that we have always lived in Dakota.

As of right now we never lived here."

Meanwhile - At the Palace;

Warren POV:

Dinner is fun, it's a good time to see your family all together at the same place. And eat. But it's also a time to talk about your day and about your future. Which is what my parents always love to talk about.

You will one day be King and bla bla bla

I've heard it a million times, but today it was different, today, it was about a Queen.

My Mom snaps her fingers in front of me trying to get my attention. "Hello,"She says,"I'm talking to you! Are you even listening?"

"Sorry Mom, I giving my undivided attention to this beautiful food." I say, eating it without looking at her.

"Warren look at me when i'm talking to you, eat your food if you like, but listen ." She says, in her you better do as I say voice. I look up from my plate mentally preparing myself for a lecture.

She stares at me for a second to make sure I was listening, then starts, "Warren are you familiar with how me and your father met?"

My sister Luna snorts beside me. I laugh, who isn't familiar? My Mom pretty much cheated the original Selection processes, because she married someone who is not a selected my Dad Eikko, or Erick whatever is easier for you to say, Mom always forces everyone to say Eikko. But I can't complain. Anyway my Mom was pretty much a rebel of her own processes.

I look between her and Dad "Mom everyone in our country is familiar with how you two amazingly rebelled against the system and married for love." I say putting my hands together to form a heart, and roll my eyes.

She shakes her head." That's not what I mean, do you understand the selection process?"

"Yeah, sure I do, 35 guy's were picked and you were supposed to fall in love with one, one guy for each sector."

"No, I mean how the selection was for your grandfather, and his father before him and so on."

I look over at my grandfather, Maxon, who smiles and winks at me. I smile back, because I like him, he is not like you normal grandparent , trying to make sure i'm the perfect grand kid. I'm pretty sure he already likes me the way I am.

I don't know where my Mom is trying to take this conversation, so I just answer her question.

"Well for all of them it was pretty much the same thing except with girls instead of guys."

"Yes there you go!" My Mom says giving me a pat on the head. I move my head out of her each and roll my eyes.

"What does this have to do with anything any?"

"It has everything to do with you Warren. Me and your father have decided to let you have your selection when you come of age."

For I second I just sit there trying to processes the information, I look over at Luna trying to see if i'm the only person hearing this. She looks as stunned as I feel. I slowly try to regain my composure.

"When will I be of age I ask?" I ask, still shocked.

"When you are eighteen years old you will be of age." She replies.

Eighten. In Five years.

"Why are you telling me this five years in advance!?"

"Well when would you rather I tell you when you're 18 and might already have some sort of romantic relationship. Or you'll be unprepared and frantic, or like me freaking out and just trying to get out of it all together."

I groan into my hands, dang it she has a good point. I probably would be freaking out and maybe already in a relationship, though I doubt it. Plus I like being prepared if I will have to deal with a whole bunch of people in my house.

I instantly start running threw my head ways to get prepared.

"Wait how does the actual selecting process work? I mean one random person from each state, but that doesn't seem safe, what if one of those girls is crazy or some sort of criminal. What if all 35 are like that?"

My Mom nods,"Yes, I know, we decided to make it more random last time for me, and some of them weren't safe people. That's why this year where learning from the last selection, and where it's going to be more like the old selections. A lot of the setup will be the same like the begining photo shoot. The party that the ladies plan for to the leaders of other countries. And so on. The selection you're having will be like my Dad's except without all the unfair rules."

"Wait, do I get any say into any of the rules?"

"Of course, what do you want some of your rules to be?"

"The thing I really have a problem with is dating anyone two years younger or older then me. You may call it childish, but to me that's just disgusting. You said this will happen when i'm 18? That would mean I could marry a 16 year old. I don't want to force someone that young into marriage. Also I'm going to need all the time to make the decision. Even if it takes me three years to choose. And am going to need all the help I can get I don't want to mess it up, even though I want all this time I think it would be helpful to get it over with."

"Well that's a long list, but don't worry you have plenty of time and you sister can help with making sure they are all nice to each other."

I looked over at my sister who was looking at me in the eyes with look then said -"I'm always going to be ready to help you, no matter what. If they ever hurt you I will make them cry."

I nodded saying back "The only thing we have to fear is a whole bunch of crazy girls in our house for what? Ten years, I've never been good at making life changing decisions?"

She laughed and Grampa Maxon joined in before saying "They may be small, and pretty, but they can still hurt you Warren, I would be careful if I were you."

Grandma laughs and rolls her eyes.

But I was taking his words seriously I mean they out number me 35 to one plus my small family, I could be killed or worse get my heartbroken. Even if I'm the one doing the choosing they have all the control in the world I'm just a little boy.

My Mom senses my uneasiness and places a hand over mine ,comforting me.

"Remember", she whispers,"no matter what happens in the future or now. I love you and I always will, you're my little baby boy, and your wealth and states don't shape who you are, you kindness and character does. Words of advice though, try not to piss them off."

I roll my eyes, but can't joke because I now that I will do anything in my power to not make them mad or upset.

I would never want to hurt anyone for that matter-

and saying no to someone who wants you to say yes is a hard thing to do.

I apologize-

this is my actual prologue I accidentally did the tinny bit of it before I was ready -

sorry

PS: Do you like Ruby and Warren?