I'm baaaaaaaack! Hey readers of Fanfiction, I know its been forever, but here is the...(drum role please)... sequel to the Kingdom Chronicles! Now all you random readers that clicked this story, please read the first story! You might be a bit confused... The Kingdom Chronicles was my first fan fiction ever so I promise the writing and storyline gets so much better later on (probably by chapter 3). Now the readers who read the first... I hope you enjoy! Follow it, favorite it, and of course review it! It gives me encouragement to write faster(;

Prologue: Before the War.

Run.

That one word floated around his head like a snake, slowly coiling itself around every dark corner of his mind.

Run. Run. Run.

"Who's there?" He demanded, only darkness surrounded him. Run? He had no where to go. He was stuck in a prison of black.

Run, run as fast as you can.

"Why? Who are you? Answer me!" His words became frantic. His dark eyes strained to see through the dark fog. He moved slowly, as if walking in water, his body sluggish and heavy.

They are coming, run. You aren't safe, run.

His voice turned from frantic to pleading, "Who? Who's coming?" He squinted, and the dark fog cleared, revealing a silhouette of a woman. He couldn't see her face, but he knew that the strange soothing voice in his head was from her. He struggled through the foggy chains that held him. When did they even wrap around him? He didn't know, but he did know he had to get to her, he needed answers, but his chance was disappearing as the woman turned to leave.

"Wait!" He tried to cry out, but no voice came. It was like he was incased in black ice, unable to move, unable to speak, and it frightened him.

The woman was getting further and further away though he violently struggled against his restraints, "Wait! Come back! Who? Tell me who!"

The woman kept walking, unable to hear the man who was so desperately trying to get answers, she took one step, then two steps, then three until eventually she disappeared behind the curtain of dark fog.

"Wait!" He screamed, and shot up only to hit something hard, knocking him back down on the soft ground. A bed?

Blinking in confusion, He looked up to see the annoyed, and bleeding, face of his brother. Rubbing his forehead, he looked down to see he wasn't covered in foggy chains, but his scratchy torn-up blanket. His mind slowly cleared as he recognized the wooden floors, stacked stone walls, and other simple furniture that made his and his brother's room.

"What?" He whispered, rubbing his eyes to adjust to the bright morning sun that peaked through the holes in the old roof and the small open window on the left wall.

"Are you okay, Gray?" He jerked, noticing his brother's face extremely close to his, no wonder his brother got hit when he shot up.

Rubbing his forehead again, Gray squinted at his silver haired twin, "I'm fine Lyon. I guess it was a bad dream, did I wake you?"

Lyon blinked his silver blue eyes and cocked his head, ignoring the thin stream of blood that dripped down his face, "You were tossing about and screaming."

Gray moved his hand from the forming bump, "I was? Mm well I'm fine now"

Lyon's slightly concerned face turned to his normal face of superiority, leaning back to inspect his brother more, "Well don't wake up mother and father, they already have enough on their plates, they don't need to know that their youngest son was having bad dreams."

Gray supposed that was the end of his brother's sympathy, "First of all, you are only minutes older then me. Minutes. Second…" Gray's roughness softened, "I would never add another burden on them."

Lyons eyes softened too and he ruffled Gray's dark unruly hair, "I know little brother, come on, let's make breakfast."

The brothers of silver and black finished breakfast in record timing. Their half dressed bodies moving in routine as Lyon gathered the little food they had and Gray started the fire in the ash-filled chimney. Solid like ice, but moving like water, the two dodged each other while completing the morning tasks in the crowded kitchen. Just minutes later, the room was filled with the delicious smell of potato and chicken stew. Lyon set the table while Gray carefully poured the small amount in the only wooden bowels they had. It was simple, but it was enough for them to make it through the day, and that was all that mattered.

"Goodmorning." A soft yet strong voice broke the morning silence. The two brothers turned around to see their mother Ul, walking cheerfully to the table. Though in a dark brown Kelvaden dress, Ul was the sun in their family. They all circled around the motherly smile she gave them, it was a smile filled with love and acceptance. Her short black hair reflected the real sun coming from the kitchen windows and her tanned skin from that sun still shinned with youth. Their father was a little less energetic. He was like a giant as he leaned down to pass under the doorframe, yawning loudly and rubbing his watered eyes. Gray and Lyon looked a lot like their father in his strong build, though they weren't tall enough yet to have to learn down when passing each room. They saw this a challenge they would soon reach. Silver stretched the muscled arms from hard labor, and scratched his spiky dark hair. While Gray's hair was more like his mothers, falling down in his eyes, Lyon's was like his father's, which defied gravity, much like both their rebellious spirits. Though they fought for each day they lived, their family was content and happy. Day after day their lives was filled with hard work and loving memories and Gray wouldn't change a thing.

Sitting round the small wooden table, the four thanked the gods for another meal before digging into the warm breakfast stew.

"Delicious as always," Ul smiled at her sons, proud of her two boys.

"Tastes bland to me," Silver shrugged, but despite his words he devoured his portion in seconds.

Gray lifted a dark eyebrow, "You could always make it yourself."

Ignoring his wife's stare, Silver wiped his mouth, "Now why would I do that when I have two domestic sons to do it for me?"

Gray and Lyon's eyebrows twitch.

"Dear, don't you think its time for you to go to the fields?" Ul slowly stirred what was left of her soup.

Silver looked at his wife's calm demeanor with a just a small amount of fear in his eyes, "Right, time for work I guess." He got up quickly and headed for the fields. He opened the creaking wooden door and looked back at his sons, "training this afternoon so get your work down before then.

"Yes, Father," The two replied eagerly. Silver gave his signature pleased smile before nodding and shutting the door behind him.

Hours later the brutal Kelvaden sun had risen higher up in the cloudless sky. Gray and Lyon worked the unfertile ground, smashing the rough soil with their picks, hoping to find some soft ground to plant their seeds. Pausing, Gray loosened the cloth that had been tied to his dark grey trousers and wiped the sweat from his forehead. The work was hard, and rarely ever rewarding, but looking at his brother who was drinking what little water they had, Gray couldn't help but feel the tight corners of his mouth lift just a little.

"We should head back soon, its almost time for training." Lyon spoke as he shielded his eyes too look at the sun's position. Its rays scorching the ground, making distant lands look as if they were water.

Just when Gray was about to respond, He noticed shadows passing over the ground. Birds? No, birds are not that big. His brows furrowed, he looked up to see dozens, no maybe hundreds of ai dragons flying across the sky, each dark wing different. Gray had never seen the race that lived in the volcano lands of Naurnos, and he had never planned on seeing one either. Both brothers stared at the heard, necks straining to follow them, until Gray noticed a couple break off from the front formation and fly towards their run down cottage.

"Come on," Gray barked, knowing Lyon would ignore his harsh tone and follow him anyway. Gray didn't have a good feeling about this, he didn't like the abnormally fast beat his heart was making. Running as fast as they could, the two brothers caught up quickly. Coming to a halt they saw a couple ai dragons in front of their door, with their mother casually blocking them from entering.

Gray's eyes switched to the ai dragons standing on their doorstep, there was six of them, each similar but completely different in their own way. The one in the middle, that Gray could only assume was the leader, was a strongly built and a man of darkness. His wings were made of black leathery scales with red shinning through like blood drops. His long raven hair was spiked, but had a pristine look to it as if he styled it just to make himself look more intimidating, not that he needed to try. The two behind him looked a lot like him, relatives maybe? They was had the same raven black hair, one was built like iron and they other seemed like a passing shadow, one that could easily take you by surprise and be gone before you knew you were on the floor. The other stood behind them with crossed arms and an evil glint in his gold eyes, he had copper hair that shot up and a scar running down his right eye, much like the iron and black Naurnian, but more brutal. The others had to be guards of some sort, because they dressed in red and black armor, seeming like an army from the depths of hell, with their devil wings. The four before him must be nobles or royalty, he thought, their dress much fancier then the soldiers, but at the same time not flashy.

Gray blinked when he noticed the red eyes of the iron-like dragon staring at him, his scale marks slashing across his face and neck like black scars. Gray narrowed his own eyes and straightened his back, he would not feel intimidated.

"What can I do for you?" Their mother smiled in a way that said she wanted them off their land as soon as possible.

The man molded in darkness smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes, "My apologies, allow me to introduce myself: My name is Acnologia, King of Naurnos, these are my sons Gajeel and Rogue."

Their mother's hand flew to her mouth, pretending to be flustered, "Oh my! King you say? What is a king wanting at my humble doorstep?"

The king's lifeless eyes slide to Gray and Lyon, Gray stiffened, "I am sure you are unaware, but war is coming. We, the ai dragons, have come to fight along with Kelvadens all over to fight for their freedom."

"War you say?" The deep voice of their father spoke as he walked from around the cottage's corner, hands full of dead wood for their fire pit.

The king didn't nod a hello or acknowledge the presence of their father as he continued to stare at brothers, "Yes, Edhelians have discriminated against you beasts for far too long, wouldn't you think?"

Silver dropped his wood and put a protective arm around his wife, "I don't feel too discriminated against, I am pretty fine with the simple life we live, so King, why are you here?"

"You should treat my father with respect," The smooth voice of Prince Rogue snapped as he moved forward, only to be stopped by his father's hand.

"Don't embarrass me Rogue."

Rogue, looking down, responded quietly, "Yes, father."

"I am glad you asked, Silver Fubuster I presume?" Gray's father's eyes narrowed, unsure how the king knew his name, "This war for freedom will go down in history, we are here to call all young men to the front lines for our good cause."

"The front lines?" Ul whispered, Silver tightened his grip around his wife.

King Acnologia's reptile eyes moved from Gray to Lyon, as if tasting their worth, "I see you have two fine young men right here, of course you would be paid handsomely for your services."

Gray felt Lyon tense beside him and put a hand on his brother's bare shoulder.

Silver narrowed his ice blue eyes, "I'm sorry to say we don't want your money, so if that's all you need then I would like to ask you and your party to leave."

"Hmm…" Acnologia rubbed his chin, "I did hope you would have a different answer, but I guess it can't be helped." He snapped his fingers and in a flash, Gray felt a sharp blade pressed to his neck. His breath halted and he looked from the corner of his dark eyes to see Lyon in the same position.

"How dare y—" Silver growled, but was stopped by the gleaming sword Acnologia now pointed at him.

"Cobra," The king spoke calmly, eyes never leaving the glare of Silver's. Cobra stepped closer, a gleam in his eyes.

"Yes, my King?"

"Kill them." Gray's heart dropped.

"Father wait—" Prince Gajeel interrupted before his father's hand lashed out and hit his cheek lightning quick. Gajeel's head jerked from the force and a red welt quickly formed.

"Don't test me Gajeel, one day you will have to be as ruthless as me. Now, let's go." And with that the king turned around and rocketed into the air with such speed and precision, Gray knew there was a reason he was king. Prince Rogue quickly followed and Prince Gajeel, with one more glance and Gray and his family, took off along with Gray's hope.

Silence was between the eight that remained until the copper ai dragon, Cobra, took out his curved sword, "Now, let's make this quick."

Before he could make a swing, Silver and Ul dashed separate ways, Ul taking out the guard holding Lyon with one clean kick, and Silver taking Gray's oppressor with his calloused hand, smashing the guard on the ground with a strength that had been honed in over the years. Rubbing his scratched neck, Gray looked down at the unmoving guards and turned his gaze to the two remaining opponents. Gray thought that there would at least be a small hint of surprise in the dragon's eyes, but Cobra stared at them in glee.

"Looks like I might actually get to have some fun." He laughed. The family of four all narrowed their eyes and pounced on him with lethal grace.

His chuckle deepened, "I can hear you."

Cobra spread his wings and shot to the sky, making all four collide. Pain exploded in Gray's head and he collapsed to the ground. Blinking, he tried to regain his sight quickly, but was too slow when he heard a pain-filled scream. Through the dust that had floated into the air, Gray caught a glimpse of his mother's silhouette with a familiar curved blade penetrating her chest. Gray didn't need to see through the dusty clouds to know it was fatal; it was the metallic smell that pierced his sensitive nose that told him. Mother.

"Mother!" He screamed as he saw her fall to the ground. He couldn't see, and gods above his body wouldn't move, why couldn't he move? He struggled against the fear that was holding him down. He needed to go to her, he needed to stop the bleeding, he need to tell his mother he loved her.

Run.

"Ul!" His father wailed. He barreled over to the man that had struck his beloved wife, grabbing a garden hoe he raged and threw it down on the man's head, or at least he tried, but the murderer caught the piece of wood and snapped it in his clawed hand, laughing. He wouldn't cease that awful laughing.

Run. Run. Run.

"Oh no, how tragic," the poisonous snack snickered, " Because of the orders of the dragon king, the sweet yet strong mother got struck down, never to hold her sons again, her husband, fights for justice against the killer! But Alas! He is killed soon, alive just long enough to see his only sons die by the hands of the same man." Cobra, with a swipe of his claws, ripped the skin of Gray's father. Like an injured dog, Silver yelped, but tackled Cobra in a bloody embrace.

Run. Run as fast as you can.

"Run Gray! Run Lyon!" Silver yelled in pain. Gray blinked sluggishly again and looked to his right. Lyon stood over him, fighting against the remaining guard with all his strength.

"We won't leave you!" Lyon grimaced as the guard swiped at him with his claws. Blood blossomed on his arm, but Lyon quickly picked up a fallen sword and stabbed the ai dragon. Over and over he stabbed him, making sure not a single breath of life was remaining.

"Get out of here, or I will personally kill you myself!" Silver growled, his eyes flashing the bright yellow of a coming shift.

They have come, run. You aren't safe, run.

Tears threatened to fall from Lyon's eyes. He quickly dropped the sword and ran to his dazed brother, picking him up and putting his arm around his waist, "Don't you dare die," Lyon tried to growl back, but a sob came instead.

Silver stepped back from the snake who was struggling to get back up. Fangs grew and his hands morphed into clawed paws. Before he shifted into his minya helma he gave one last smile, "As if I would." And with that he turned to face his opponent, the dust covering them from sight.

Lyon dragged Gray further, and slowly the weight of the situation clenched Gray's heart. "Wait Lyon! Why are we leaving?! We need to save Mother! We need to help Father!"

Lyon held his brother tight who fought against him, "Gray don't make this harder, we haven't learned how to shift, we will only be in the way."

Gray pushed him off and stumbled back, why was he so weak? "You would leave them behind? You coward!"

"Coward?" Lyon whispered, staring at the stranger that was his twin brother before raising his voice, "Coward?! Who is the coward? What were you doing when mother got stabbed? She's dead Gray. You just sat there!"

"I—" But Gray couldn't finish. What had he been doing? Why had he been so frozen in fear? He looked down at his clean hands. There was no blood on them, not like Lyon's, not like his father's, not like his Mother's chest. "I—" His words continued to fail. He looked up from those shaking hands of his to his brother's eyes that mirrored the complete sorrow that he felt in his soul. Never before had two twins shared such strong connection as the two young men fell to the ground.

"He will come back to us. He's not dead. He will find us." Lyon whispered and rested his head against his brother's. Gray nodded, it was all he could do. He felt so much shame, so much anger and hatred and sorrow. How could one man feel so much at the same time, he didn't know, but the dark emotions continued to swirl until something in him snapped.

"It's there fault." He said numbly.

Lyon looked at him through his tears, "Who's?"

"That king… those princes… any royal…" Gray's mind clouded over and he saw only one thing, only one goal. Whatever discrimination the king had been talking about, all the injustice and pain he had not seen throughout his life flooded his vision, he would stop the cycle, no more. No more. No more.

"We will kill them."

Run.