Disclaimer: Star Trek is not mine nor do I claim to own it. This is purely a work of fiction. All other tales referenced throughout are also not my own. This story will involve moments of children's tales to create my own creative world. I claim nothing : )

Warnings: Language, (you have been warned), m/m, pre-slash, hint at neglect of a child, and randomness beyond measure : )

AN: So…I'm still in the Even the Stars mindset and the sequel is up and in the posting process. Which is exciting because here I had thought this story would actually show up before that did.

However, as that is still in the works (haven't stopped writing it I swear!) I have this tale plaguing my thoughts, because Even the Stars was rather dark and depressing and I had wanted to write something a little different. So, I have begun to write this alongside my sequel. Which knowing me will still have some dark and depressing things in it. Hopefully, though the plan is more on the fun side… at least for the readers.

Like many of my stories will be, this is a m/m, slash, spirk, etc. It's a lot faster pace in this story than it had been in EtS but it'll have a slight build-up and probably no smut till later chapters (have something fun in store for that actually...maybe). So expect mostly pre-slashy stuff and fluff for the most part at least till then. ^^

Anyway if you do not like than please do not feel compelled to read.

AN: Other then that I hope you enjoy : D


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XX

-Prelude-

XX

As many tales begin, we will start this one off with a classic phrase, a memorable phrase, and a simple phrase;

Once upon a time,

However, this is not a simple or a classic tale. It is not one to be so easily begun, for it delves much further past the classics into what many would consider the future...so it would be best to continue with addressing that this is not an olden day fairy tale but is in fact located in a much more distant future.

In space:

The final frontier. These are the tales of the Starship Enterprise.

Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.

Though, such explorations have found themself placed on hold, as an alteration of the most curious of sorts has left things…not quite right. It has left those of the starship Enterprise, and all of those connected through them in a similar and most strange predicament.

Our tales begins with a hero in the most uncommon of places, waking to find himself in a situation of the gravest of consequences.

Here, our hero finds himself waking into a world not unlike his own and yet with so many differences. The most apparent and concerning of all is our hero wakes to recall every aspect of what is real and true, and yet all who he knows and cares for seem to have forgotten him and who they-themselves-are.

In this new world, our Captain and beloved James T. Kirk wakes to find his crew scattered and all not recognizing his face, nor their own. He finds himself trapped to live out a most unusual tale all in an effort to be recognized once more; all in an effort to return home to the Enterprise and amongst his crew.

Jim finds himself needing to reach the end of this book without losing himself in the pages. He needs to be able to carry on, while all others have collapsed into another persona and embodied a character that is not their own.

Jim will have familiar faces throughout, but be incapable of determining between friends and foes as a twist unlike any the Enterprise has ever faced before, leaves Jim at the mercy of the story teller.

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XX

Prologue:

"Wishes"

The Federation, but more specifically Earth, has spent the last two decades trying to form bonds with the powerful planet Vulcan and its society. Vulcan and its vast riches and knowledge would aide in solidifying the structure of the federation. As well, ties with the peaceful colony would help to place a good face upon the very strict, but newly rising power.

The Vulcans were unsure about such a tie, and wished to slowly distinguish if they truly desired a relationship with the Federation and Earth.

Amanda Grayson had been the first to cross ties with the borders, and had not only implanted herself into their culture but had married one of their own. It was a surprising and welcome turn of events as with it brought about the beginnings of change.

The happy couple knew that their child would bear the burden of both races. Where Vulcan society would have a hard time accepting their child as he was, humans would be more willing to see past such differences. Vulcan's had a tendency of being hypocritical when it came to change, but humans had grown much more diverse with the advancement in space travel and more accepting of different races.

With this thought, the Vulcan colonization agreed to meet with the Federation. As the child was the son to the king of Vulcan and grandchild to the High Queen, they wished to favor the child with the best possibilities; they saw this with the Federation. Thus, they agreed on the meet in order to discuss a more age old contract. They would propose a mutual relationship between Earth and Vulcan that only marriage between two of higher standing and power in both cultures could bring.

With the Vulcan heir only having just been born they had given Earth time to find a proper suitor for the young Vulcan Prince.

Many royal Earth families bred children with the desire to bare the one who could win over the halfling's favor and place them into such a prosperous new life.

However, Vulcan's age differently than humans do and with this many came to realize how fast they had jumped the gun. Yet, this realization only deferred few. Many believed the young Prince would relish a more matured lover. Others tried again for a child, unconcerned by the extra mouths to feed if the end goal was the same.

It was all in all; pandemonium.

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So, whereas many royal families sought out this merger, one had not. Yes, the idea had risen in discussion once or twice, but the lovely couple could not bear the idea of a life spent without love.

The Kirks had born a child earlier than the uproar and their eldest, George Samuel Kirk, grew up amused by all those being raised to be bred for a Vulcan's lifestyle.

When a baby brother came into the picture, the Kirks were surprised but pleased. That was, however, until George Kirk (Daddy Kirk) was called away during a violent attack on the new Federation borders.

When he never returned it changed many things.

Jim would never meet his father, though he would constantly hear of the man who saved eight hundred lives from an attacked space station. He was a man who, in such an effort, strengthened the Federation's image to warring colonies and left behind a legacy in the name 'Kirk.'

However, time past after his death, and a distant mother remarried far too quickly in an effort to keep her family afloat. Royal now, only in name they offered their youngest as a potential choice for the Vulcan heir.

Jim was barely ten when he was moved from his house into the Federation castle known by many as the home of Star Fleet. It was upon his Step Father's demand, but even though he didn't know what this change would bring he complied.

Not for the father figure who cared nothing for him, but because he had realized quickly that both Sam and his mother would be present for the duration of his stay. He was pleased by this and believed all too easily that this would mean time spent with his family…however, he was sadly mistaken.

Mornings were spent relearning proper etiquette that had been first to slide after his father's death. Afternoons were crammed full of knowledge and studies from both Human and Vulcan sources. The remainder of the day and late into the evenings was spent being taught his place, if he were to be chosen.

Chosen?

Chosen for what, Jim did not care. He started out a prized pupil, delirious with the belief that this could bring about his parents' praise, but he soon lost interest as he came to realize they never met his eyes.

The boy, who reminded his mother and family of his deceased father, was only a burden to bear.

Jim altered his days soon after this discovery. He would stay around for his afternoon studies; his desire for knowledge winning out over his disdain for his parents. He absorbed facts like a sponge and though the other children seemed to resent him for the trait he found himself not bothered. He had grown used to the dislike of others and grew accustomed to the joys of his own company, and that of a good book.

As he grew older the disdain seemed to fade away as appearances brought those back like a moth to a flame. However, Jim had no desire for petty friends and found companionship in his peers; teachers who had taken up his studies as he surpassed those around his own age.

Admirals, they called them. Jim could see hunger in many of their eyes as they watched him grow, but in many he also saw pride…pride that he had longed so much for while he was young.

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Ten years passed before word came of the traveling royals. The Vulcan family would arrive within a few weeks' time as per agreement, and the castle became an uproar with this news.

It was during this time that Jim found himself pulled along by many of the Admirals as anticipation began to set in.

...

...

...

"Perfect."

"Yes, he will be chosen for sure."

"Knowledge and beauty, it is surely to be him."

...

...

...

It was during this time that Jim found out his purpose here at Star Fleet.

He spent ten years living a life and being lied to the entire time. He looked upon all who had spent these past years with deceit and disdain, but none more so than his own family. Those who he had long since forgotten reappeared as if on cue so as to present their son and brother. He was a token, no more than a shiny prize to gain them a standing once again.

Jim refused to board the shuttle with the others to fly up to the space station where they were to meet the arriving family. A grand ball was to be held in honor of the arriving guest, and the other royal children, like himself, would be presented like cattle to be bargained for.

He refused to bow before any more snotty royals, and be sold away like cattle.

He found solstice in an admiral who wished to aide his request to keep away.

She had been one of the ones who had watched him grow with hunger in her eyes. Yet, unlike the others, she did not wish for him to meet with the Vulcan Prince. She could be trusted…or he believed it possible to trust her.

He was quickly proven wrong.

Jim was sealed away, down in to one of the deepest chambers within the castle walls; hidden away and locked from all others.

He spent days with only her presence for company listening to promises of a brilliant future, of all her plans for him. She had indeed looked upon him with hunger, but not like the others. Marrying him off to the Vulcan would stilt his potential. He would be a prized asset to accomplish her goals.

"You'll understand when this is over, James." These words were a constant on all her visits as she tried to sooth away his anger and contempt at her trickery. "You truly are the finest of them all...we must keep you away."

Jim was sealed away for a week, captured under all their noses. Yet, it took a week for any to search him out let alone find him. The time frame was closing and everyone was too busy preparing for the arrival of the Vulcans. Too busy readying themselves to even realize he had gone missing.

However, Jim was found.

Admiral Pike found him deep within the castle, and took him up to his own personal quarters where he would be kept safe and protected.

Pike had been one of the few, who when looked upon, Jim had only felt admiration. Pike had aided much in Jim's growth and had driven the youth to push himself always to be better.

So when Pike came to him and sealed him away, he allowed it. For he knew that Pike was only keeping him away for the time, and that he would truly be safe during this time. However, he also knew that like all of the other admirals, Pike was required to present all potentials before the Vulcan prince, and Jim was no exception.

By morning the man would board Jim upon a shuttle, cart him off to space to be prepared for the ball, and bring him out like a prized stallion to present before the Prince and the Royal Vulcan family.

Save the best for last.

This would be a grand ball for a Vulcan Prince to find a bride or groom to marry and seal a bond, that had been so long in the works and Jim would be attending no matter how he dragged his feet.

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"You'll be wearing a mask. The odds are that he will not choose you. If that does not work I am sure just being near you for a moment will turn him away. What with your complete lack of etiquette and dislike for anyone with royal blood, I cannot imagine a greater turn off."

Pike's words were meant to sooth concerns, but really did nothing as Jim lay burrowed in the plush bed. No matter how he tried to hide himself away from the world reality kept sneaking up on him.

"Thank you, Pike…"

Jim had grown quiet now after his time spent sealed away, but he knew better than what Pike's words hinted at. He could already see how this would play out. There were much too many pushing him towards this path for him to just slid under the radar. He tried to put his usual sarcasm to match Pike's own attempt to cheer the other up, but it lacked and both knew it.

"You know as well as I do that even with a mask on, I make a mark. You and the others should know this best. It is why you have all-"

"Do not finish that sentence James Kirk, I know you have grown without many parental figures in your life, but twenty or not I will not hesitate to put you over my knee and discipline you." Pike retorted forcing a snort from the young royal sprawled on the bed, the image this brought humorous to both parties and Pike's lips curled into a smirk as the mood lessened.

"Jim, I have spent the last several years as a mentor and teacher to you, but I have always seen you as a son. You were more than a pupil, so do not address our relationship as such. You are not just a prize to gain some unobtainable goal." He sighed and made his way to sit at the end of the bed, "Look, I knew your father, we grew up together and I know that he would not sit by and see you succumbed to such a fate. Just go there tomorrow and give it a shot. Amuse those who can't see past the hypocrisy of this whole situation, and know that after the night is over we will come back down and perhaps by then we can get you started on that command track and into space?"

"I'd like that, Sir." Jim's voice had grown quiet; either at the emotional reprimand or at the awe over such a potential future.

"Don't you Sir me, mister. It's Christopher, or it's Pike while we are in any remotely personal settings. You are like a son to me, and you worried me sick with that stunt you pulled. Keeping yourself locked away…what kind of rouse were you getting at? If you didn't like this, there were much better ways of going about informing others than revolting as you had."

Jim blinked recalling now that everyone else had come to believe he had hidden himself away. Pike had been the only one to suspect Admiral Rachael, but after much poking around nothing pointed at her being capable of such antics.

Jim was too angered by the immediate dismissal and in so refused to speak of the matter at all. No one truly cared to listen to his opinion, so what good would voicing it really do.

"Nyota will also be attending the ball."

Jim's brow arched at the bribery tone to Pike's words and scuffed. "She can't decide if she hates me or not. Half the time I know she is just tolerating my presence. If she weren't the smartest one amongst the other sheep, I'd say her and I would've never talked in the first place."

"Sheep, Jim?"

"Well you cart us all around here like were cattle waiting for the slaughter, I'd say I'm more of a wild stallion, but I suppose a black sheep could fit all the same. We are just meat to sell."

"Jim."

Pike's voice fell as he looked at the younger male. He would not meet the eyes of the Admiral instead gazing down at the pillows or at the sheets as if glaring at them would solve his problems.

"You know that is how this whole situation is. Do not tell me you can't see it too? Everyone here is just so ready to be the next Vulcan hybrid's new addition. They're all too caught up in the potential riches and admiration that they're blind to the fact that those "potential heirs" that they bred actually exist past what they're worth."

"Jim you are more than just a token."

"You tell that to Winona and to Frank, hell, explain it to Sam while you're at it, because when I look at anyone on this ship you know what I see? I see price tags reflecting from their eyes."

"And mine. What do my eyes show you?"

Jim's eyes pulled up and over at long last and he scowled sadly at what he saw.

"They show pity…pity at such a crappy situation. Hell, if someone would've actually shared this with me when I arrived, or I dunno sometime during the ten years we've been here; maybe I would be more like the others. Maybe then I'd be ready to just lie down and let one more person fuck me over. However no one did, so to hell if I won't go kicking and screaming the whole way. I deserve to fight this."

His words were like venom, carrying the disdain stored and packed close to his heart over the last weeks spent on board this ship.

"No one is telling you how this will play out Jim. We don't know anything for sure."

"But come tomorrow, if he were to choose me, I wouldn't be able to refuse him would I?''

Pike remained silent as he kept his eyes locked on Jim's. He knew the kid was seeking for an answer and he must've seen it clearly for he let out and pitiful sigh and turned his gaze away once more.

"No…if you do refuse then it could result in all ties collapsing between Vulcan and Earth. Two decades trying to merge with this colony and all would be lost in an instant."

"What if I no longer care about what Earth wants?"

Jim's words were soft but bitter as he curled his hands into tight fists upon the sheets; straining the muscles until they were taut and white with the effort.

"The Federation has means to make you complaint." Pike's words were like ice and Jim's eyes returned but were filled with disgust and panic, "Were the Prince to choose and you resist they have means to make you compliant."

"Fuck…"

The words were barely a breath as the news of such actions washed over Jim like a horrible reality.

"Language Jim."

"Don't."

Jim shook his head and rubbed angrily at his face.

"God, please don't just stand there and tell me how or how not I can express myself. Not today, Pike. Not when tomorrow I could have who I am ripped away."

"Jim, do not think that I would let such a thing happen. I will try and help you."

Once again Jim scuffed at the other's words.

"I'm sure you and the rest of the Federation really have my best interest at heart. So, thanks that really warms me up inside...can you do me a favor and just leave? Just let me have the rest of this day to myself."

"Sure Jim, but just think about something for me in return will you?"

Pike paused before he continued and Jim huffed in annoyance before slanting his head in a resigned affirmative nod.

"Try to look at this situation in another way before you completely write it off as a lost cause." Pike moved over to the other and placed a comforting, though currently unwelcomed, hand upon Jim's shoulder. "What if you actually wound up liking him? You have constantly been seeking out those who have a similar mind to your own; who more perfect than a Vulcan to share such a trait? They are a civilization bent on knowledge. This could be the best damn thing to happen to you, and your too busy throwing a tantrum to open yourself up to the possibilities."

Pike stood without another word, and before Jim could refute what was said; Pike went about following Jim's wishes and left the younger male on his own.

Jim fell asleep wishing for a different fate. He wished to experience a life unlike the one he found himself in.

When he'd wake he would be surprised to find himself no longer within the room, nor on Earth at all, but captaining a ship called the Enterprise.

In his place our Jim would wake to find himself trapped in the nightmarish fairytale; about to be proposed to his first officer—the Prince and Heir of Vulcan