Here's my Talisto AU. Basically, what would have happened if Gramorr was the lord of his own country in Ephedia and had struck a deal with the royal families instead of overthrowing the monarchies.
Some notes. In this canon Gramorr is the surrogate uncle of Mephisto and Praxina. No blood relation (that's important) and no one has ever been to Earth because there was no reason to go.
...
Mephisto cheered as the entertainment portion for his birthday celebration came to an end. And boy what a celebration it was! Both he and Praxina were turning 18, and their uncle Gramorr threw them the best party anyone in the 6 kingdoms had been to in years! There were rides, a glorious feast, musicians and artisans, games and, of course, free flowing sweet liquors for all. It was a rousing gala that lasted deep into the night, when both moons had risen and were full. Usually Gramorr was somewhat of a drag, but this party was fantastic! Mephisto was heavily, and happily inebriated, enjoying every bit of the celebration.
All seemed to be in high merriments but his very sister, Praxina, who sat in her ornate seat of honor, with her 9th goblet of sweet liquor with the most sour look on her face. Mephisto hovered over to her, his cheeks tinged pink from drunkenness, a laugh in his voice as he spoke, "Why so glum, chum?"
"This party stopped being fun hours ago," Praxina drolled, swirling her glass elegantly. Unlike her brother, she could hold her liquor. Taking a sip she gave a careless shrug, "The only reason I'm still here is to see which of the poor Princesses Uncle Gramorr was able to get,"
"Which one?" Mephisto's head cocked wobbly to the side, "All the royal families are here already,"
A devious smile worked its way to Praxina's lips as she blurted out, "Oh Klatznik. You don't KNOW?! How is that even possible?"
"Know what?"
A loud gong interrupted his sister before she could give him the delightfully horrifying news. Everyone's attention turned to the center of the banquet hall where Lord Gramorr, king of Zanavia stood proudly. He raised his arms so the room would lull to a hush for him to speak.
"I want to thank all of you for coming to this momentous occasion," He started, earning a slight applause from the audience, "As you all know, I have no children of my own... but I am fortunate to have raised two of the finest spell casters in all Ephedia, Mephisto and Praxina,"
Praxina tugged lightly on Mephisto's arm, "Tonight you're going to-"
Mephisto aggressively batted her away, "Shhh! He's talking about us,"
"Not only do we celebrate the momentous occasion of their miraculous birth, but, also the avoidance of the ugliest war that could have been. 10 years ago this day, I, along with the fellow royal families of Ephedia... Came together and arranged an agreement, so our kingdoms would be united and strengthened for many years to come. And Peace would reign for generations!"
At the point, Mephisto was half way finished downing his 12th(... Or was it 13th?) goblet of sweet liquor, and was only half way listening to the boring treaty talk. He hadn't even noticed the grand doors opening at the front of the hall. But, he did notice the small parade of Xerin ladies in waiting, carrying large peacock feathers to shield whatever was in the center of their group. They were all being lead by the Xerin royal family, King Ghul, Queen Kuvira and even the first crown Princess Izira. He watched as they made their way to Gramorr. Both the king and queen bowed immediately, though Izira, took a moment before she followed suit.
Mephisto was completely confused for a long minute, turning to his sister, inquisitively, "Wait... Don't they have another daughter? What was her name...?"
"Oh Melzors!" Cackled Praxina in a whisper, "You're marrying Spook-Alia,!"
What?
"Mephisto, I would like to present to you, your betrothed, to be wife, Talia, Princess of Xeris," Lord Gramorr bellowed. The crowed erupted in applause as a speechless, completely hammered Mephisto stared off in a daze as the hand maidens withdrew their large feathers to reveal the young princess for him to see.
Adorned from head to toe in sapphires and gold. Talia was quite a sight. A glittering sheer blue cape draped over her bare shoulders. A dress made of the finest silk and lined with the purest gold hugged at her taught curves and her crystal blue hair was woven into the most intricate of braids. Piercing gold eyes rose to meet his and for a minute Mephisto was as sober as he had ever been.
She rose to her feet at her fathers command. King Ghul took his daughter by the hand and lead her over to the steps where her future husband was staring at her. She felt incredibly uncomfortable, but knew her position and knew to speak up now would do nothing but dishonor her family and threaten the thin veil of peace that had laid over the lands for the last decade. She had been promised to the adopted son of the tyrant in exchange for the war to end, and now the time to pay up was now.
King Ghul planted a lasting kiss on his daughter's cheek and whispered in their native Xerin language a blessing, "be safe,"
Her mother was next to give her a hug, fighting back the stinging feeling of tears in her eyes. It was brief, for any longer the queen would have broke down.
When Talia made it to her sister, Izira took both her hands and squeezed them so tightly, Talia silently hoped she wouldn't let go. Pulling her into a tight hug, Izira nearly squeezed the life out of her. Talia returned the intensity. No one made her feel safer than Izira. No one. And if there was anyone who would fight this for her... It was her sister.
"Ahem," Lord Gramorr impatiently grumbled, a clawed hand held out expectantly.
Izira shot the man an icey glare, refusing to relinquish her hold on her beloved baby sister. Talia could feel Izira become tense, and the aggressive magic build up inside her. Izira was the level headed one, but this was her sister are talking about. At no point was Izira ever asked about this. And she'd be damned if she'd just stand by and let this monster take her Talia without a fight. Izira would see the whole of Ephedia burn before Talia be harmed.
Talia knew this, so Talia did the hardest thing she had ever done. She pulled away from Izira and showed her a smile. A real, sincere, brave smile that Talia hoped Izira would believe, "I'll be ok," she lied, and turned to take Lord Gramorr's hand.
"Mephisto! May I present to you, your bride," Lord Gramorr exclaimed, gently tugging Talia over toward the still stunned young man who's goblet had dropped from his hand and clambered to the ground quite some time ago. The purple sweet liquor had splashed about, staining the white fabric at his ankles, "Take her hand, boy,"
Dazed, and trying to sort everything out, Mephisto raised an obedient hand to take Talia's. Talia was doing her best to force a pleasant look on her features. Why was he just staring like that? She had heard rumors the young lord was strange but this was bizarre. Was he just drunk? Or was the poor lad simple? He stood there, staring blankly at her, his head slightly swaying too and fro. Talia politely cleared her throat and curtseyed for him.
"Lord Mephisto, It's an honor to-"
Suddenly, Mephisto dropped her hand very quickly only to bend over into the large plant base at his right and empty the contents of his stomach. The loud vomiting echoed throughout the chamber and soon the room was filled with a arouse laughter, even Lord Gramorr cackled delightfully and clapped his hands. But no one laughed louder or more sincere than that of Talia's soon-to-be- sister in law.
"welcome to the family, Spook-alia!" Praxina teased, floating over to the stunned princess to take a quick selfie-picture with her, using the crystal-fractious spell, making sure Mephisto vomiting in the background was clearly seen.
Talia turned a horrified look at her family, who were the only ones not laughing in the entire hall. There was nothing they could do. Talia was to be wed to the Lord of Zanavia's ward. She no longer belonged to them. They couldn't help her. She watched as her parents turned away in shame and sadness but her sister glared intensely. She passed Talia a look that both relieved and terrified her to her core. It was a look that promised her that this would not last.
"Enjoy the party everyone! Eat and drink until the sun has risen," A very pleased Gramorr laughed. He turned to the Xerin family for a few words that Talia could no longer hear. Sighing, she looked to her future husband who was wiping his lip with a table cloth. Normally, Talia was a very caring person, but the last thing she wanted to do was show any affection to the man holding her hostage. After all, he drank himself sick.
"Here ya go, buddy," a smooth voice drawled. Talia looked over to see a silver-haired rogue handing the young lord a glass of water. Mephisto helped himself to it, slurring the water about before spitting it back out to wash his mouth, "I told ya, go easy on the drink,"
The young man gave a smarmy smile to the baffled princess, as he helped steady her fiance, "Hey there, beautiful. Name's Lev. Don't get any ideas, I'm this guys number one slave,"
"Hey! Get offa me, I hate you," Mephisto slurred, pushing away from his would-be savior. Immediately, he patted the guy on the chest affectionately and said, "I'm sorry, I don't mean that, I love you, buddy,"
"I know, pal. I know," Lev chuckled. He brought over Mephisto's chair and suggested, "Now why don't you sit down before you embarrass your wifey anymore, huh? You made a real dorpsblah of yourself. Oh pardon me, Princess,"
"No no. He was quite the dorpsblah," Talia folded her arms over her chest.
"Haha, Hear that, Mephisto? Maybe you should apologize to your lovely fiance here,"
"Yes!" Mephisto exclaimed, quite a bit too loudly for even his own liking. He took two very big, very wobbly steps right over to Talia. Talia gasped involuntarily. She could actually see his features now that they were so close. The young lord was actually quite handsome. Intense green eyes and a very chiseled jaw. His burgundy hair covering thick eyebrows. He opened his mouth to speak and Talia could see the prominent fangs that accompanied his teeth, but she was mostly transfixed on those beautifully serious emerald eyes that looked straight into hers, not a trace of insincerity, and for a moment, she had no idea what he was about to say. He took a breath and...
Blacked out.
"Dorpsblah..."
"That's another one for the scrapbook!"
*Dorpsblah means is an ephedian curse word I made up. Think of it like the equivalent of jackass.