Disclaimer: I don't own Tales of the Abyss; its owned by Namco Bandai. I'm only writing for fun.

Warnings: Alternative Universe - Canon Divergence; DARK FIC.

Chapters: 01/06

Notes: this story was supposed to be happy, but something happened while I was writing and well...it got sort of dark. Some of the characters backstories were totally or partially changed. Also, I'm not following the timeline of the game. I would be really grateful if you guys could share your opinion with me. Thanks and enjoy!

Fallen Knights

Chapter One - The Huntress

The young princess couldn't contain herself, she was so happy. She and the entire kingdom were waiting for this day to come and now that it did, her excitement was nearly overwhelming.

She ran as fast as she could to her parents room, hoping to introduce herself to her young brother; the miracle her parents always wanted but only now archieved. However, when she was about to knock on the door her father came out.

Natalia gave him her brightest smile, trying to show how glad she was for the birth of this new child. Finally, she would have someone to play with and share all of her adventures. Her smile was soon washed away by her father's thunderous face. He made a motion with his hands and soon enough she was being taken away by the guards.

The girl was confused and hurt. What was happening? Why couldn't she see her brother? Was something wrong with him? With their mother? She started crying, but no one bothered to hear or even try to comfort her. She was ignored and so completely alone. It was awful.

At evening, the servants started packing her things. Everything was so confusing. Were they going to travel? To where and for how long?

Next day, she was sent to Daath with all the pomp and glory expected from the Lanvaldear House; but it didn't change the fact that she was going away, leaving everything she knew behind. The worst of all was leaving without even a good-bye, leaving alone.

Her father sent a letter to the Fon Master saying that she was to stay there; to serve the Order as a sign of Kimlaska gratitude for the grace bestowed upon them. Natalia cried all night long. She wanted to go home. Why was she there? Was she a bad girl? She could behave, she could be better.

Only days later, she would discover her brother's name: Victor. It wasn't through a royal letter, but because of the news running wild in the city. Her parents never answered her letters and soon she stopped writing. Ten years would pass before she saw them again.

XXX

Her first days there were solitary and weird. The Knights were tall and scary and the few girls she met were vain and mean. Then one day she saw two girls about her age, the others knights stayed away from them as if afraid of what would happen if they got too close.

Natalia decided to be brave and went to sit with them. When she was almost at their table, the dark haired girl rose her head, her red eyes watching her. The young princess was tempted to return to her table. What kind of person had red eyes? But then the other girl, the one with hair as light as starlight looked at her. Her eyes were young and so very gentle. Natalia needed that, she needed any kindness she could get. She needed to not be alone.

And after meeting them Natalia knew, she would never be alone again.

XXX

Natalia was nineteen when she discovered the true about her origins.

Anise had been investigating some matters to her mentor when she found out about the Oaklands. The couple had a young girl, Meryl. The baby was stolen away by the royal family when they discovered their child dead.

Her biological parents tried to retrieve her, but were senteced to death for treason. Were killed because they loved her.

Natalia was possessed by grief. Everything made sense now, why it was so easy for the rulers of Kimlaska to send her away. She wasn't their daughter. They didn't need her anymore, but since they couldn't dispose of her as they had of her parents she was shipped away to Daath.

They had their miracle. A son with blazing hair and royal blood. She was expendable. That knowledge hurt even more; because even then, after all those silent years she still loved them, still hoped they would come to take her home. That it was all a big misunderstanding. But it wasn't. They didn't love her and those who did were dead.

When she was twenty-one she took over the 1st Division of the Oracle Knights. She became numb and hollow. Hunters don't pity their prey.

Meryl was reborn that day.

XXX

Everything was happening as planned, but she decided it was about time to go back to Kimlaska. For one last hunt.

It was way too easy, she was almost disappointed. Almost. There was chaos everywhere, people despaired and each one cared only for their own lives. The royal family was left to tend for themselves. Of course, they would fail.

It was fast, it was clean and honestly quite merciful on her part. Her aim was true, her arrows didn't miss. She was leaving the Throne Room when she heard the King's whisper: Natalia, why?

She didn't answer him.

That was not her name.

Yup, I wrote a story where the heroes are the villains.

This fic is finished and the next chapter will be up next week.

Thanks for your time!

The Good Savage