What's up, everyone? So this is my first fanfiction ever so I'm a bit nervous starting this off for you guys, but anyway I hope you enjoy it!

And Our Story Beings - The Outcast

Welcome welcome welcome! I hope you're all having a splendid day today. I know I am. In fact, I'm in such a good mood I could go and blow up the world! Oops. Did I say that out loud? Oh, it doesn't matter! This isn't about me anyway, but you're probably wondering who I am and what I'm doing talking to you like this. If you haven't figured it out yet, I am the narrator of the story that is about to unfold before your eyes. I am the outcast, but you know what they say about people who aren't noticed. They say nothing, yet they see everything, but this story isn't about me. No. This is the story of a savior. The story of a savior turned monster. The story of a so-called 'hero' condoning the very act... they would condemn.

Chapter 1: A Royal's Conquest Begins - Deceit

The crowd roared in excitement and euphoria as all the people gathered in the arena were at the edge of their seats, cheering and projecting their voices, chanting brutal fantasies, wishing for the demise of one or the other, yearning to see blood spilled, and longing to know the results of the nets that some may have wagered on the victor. "Send his head home on a silver platter, Bastion!" Shouted an obnoxious man from the crowd, standing up as his hand thruster outward, letting the liquid from his drink, Evacuate the cup, letting the alcoholic beverage trickle down the scalp of the bald man sitting next to him in the crowded arena. The bald man scowled, and out of annoyance, stood up, accepting the challenge his adversary had just presented him and began to chant as well. "Run it through him, Liam! Make him wish he never entered this tournament!" And the chants continued, the voices of the crowd clashing like the swords of the warriors dueling in the arena.

Dueling to the death.

That was the way Ozeria had always done things. Only the strongest in the Kingdom survived, and only the strongest in the Kingdom were granted noble status, and the three strongest in the Kingdom were the four Princes and the soul Princess of Ozeria watching their older brother take center stage in the arena.

The crowd exploded into cheers like a volcano had just erupted in the town. One warrior lying on the ground, blood dripping from his stomach where the blade that had sealed his fate protruded outwards, blood dripping from the metal, and the standing warrior holding his hand up in victory.

"Bout!" Called the referee. "The victor of the annual tournament of Ozeria is... Prince Bastion!"

And the crowd erupted into cheers again, this time even louder than before. Their Prince had won.

\\

"Congratulations Bastion!" Shouted a woman who was buried in a hoard of people crowding the entrance to my castle. "Way to make Ozeria proud!" Called another. "I knew you'd win! Without a doubt! Long live the Prince!" The atmosphere echoed with words of praise, congratulating me on a victory that wasn't even a true victory. My opponent had been weak. Liam of Etregon was a Prince, just as I am, but by the way he fought, I would have thought he was a peasant. Decrepit form. Sloppy footwork. Everything a Prince as high a caliber as myself frowned upon. He was a disgrace to the monarchy, and I was glad to rid the people of that cancer to the system, but he wasn't the only cancer who threatened the monarchy. The peasants who looked at me with beaming smiles as I passed them by were also a disease. A flaw in the system built on power.

They were weak.

They were weak yet they congratulated me as if they shared my victory. As if they knew the power I held. The pride I had. Most of them went to bed with nothing in their stomachs. Others had nowhere to bathe. They were filthy. Yet they acted clean. They acted pure. They acted powerful. It was sickening. It was completely absurd. Power was power and these people had none. These people were weak.

And they had to be eradicated.

It was the only way to preserve the pride and honor of my Kingdom. A Kingdom built on pillars of strength. There was no room for weaklings. There was no room for peasants.

"Mr. Bastion?" I heard a meek voice call.

I turned my head, looking for the one who'd called my name until I cast my vision downward to find a small girl standing in front of me, and I almost snarled. Women. Women were also another liability in my Kingdom. They were supposed to stay home. Feed the children. Cook. They were supposed to be weak. It was amazing to believe my father had let one into the castle willingly. My sister was strong, but she knew she was to never to step out of line with me, for I held the power over her and I always would. I could ruin her life and the lives of everyone in this Kingdom with a snap of my finger. Everyone knew that. Everyone knew Ozeria was a complicated place. Where the power and was earned and never given out. His siblings had all had to earn the nice clothes and warm meals put in front of them every day. One fatal misstep and everything went to hell. Everyone knew the cruelty that resided in the heart of the benevolent Prince in front of them. Everyone knew.

Everyone but this little girl.

This little girl had so much bravery that she would step out of line in public. I looked up once again, tilting my head to find the father or mother of this brave little girl, and I could tell instantly who it was. A woman with wide eyes, shaking hands, and a trembling posture. Fear visible in her eyes, but my vision was torn away from the trembling woman as the girl spoke again.

"My name is Alexis, and my mother is very sick, and she hasn't eaten anything for days." She continued. "Would you be so kind as to give us a piece of gold for some food?" She asked in the most adorable way she could. I had seen this trick before. Beggars. Liars. Thieves. This girl was a liar, but her innocent appearance made her seem as if she truly was innocent, but I couldn't deny her the money. Not here. not in public. Not when my reputation, my pride depended on my relationship with the people. "Of course," I answered in return, the eyes of the girl lit up as I took a gold coin from my pocket and placed it in her tiny hand. "Go buy something scrumptious for dinner," I concluded, petting her head like I would a dog because that was what she was. A dog. My pet. My pawn. "Now run along home, Alexis." After a grateful smile, the girl ran off, and I continued toward my castle as people continued to congratulate me on my victory today. I shook hands. I blessed the sick children of mothers and fathers, praying for the well-being of their children. It took me nearly and hour to arrive and relax in the comfort of my own home, and after I had done so, I wiped the filth from the hands of the peasants I'd just touched all over my suit which had once been impeccably crisp, but now had stains of dirt and filth that I hadn't noticed before. I hated peasants. They made me feel so unclean.

"Congratulations, brother." Said Enzo, my younger brother, even though he wasn't even my brother at all. I could feel the animosity in his tone. The venom that dripped from every word he spoke. He didn't even bother to look at me. His nose was stuck in a book as it always was.

"Thank you, Enzo. I appreciate you addressing me properly as you should." I retorted, instilling as much sarcasm into my voice as I possibly could. Enzo must have caught my drift, for he closed the book, pushed up his glasses, and lifted his head, looking at me as he was taught to do by my father, but even with his remarkable posture, i could still see the resentment in his eyes. "Father would like to see you in his chambers." He continued. I caught sight of his hands trembling. It must have been my overbearing appearance. My muscular build to his scrawny one that made him so afraid of me. Just another example of the power I had. "Thank you," I replied. "I'll be on my way."

I began to walk up the grand staircase that lead to my father's chambers, but Enzo had to intrude once again. "He didn't sound pleased, Bastion," He projected, his voice trembling audibly. I turned my head to look at his face. His blonde hair had fallen over his eyes, hiding his true expression, but I could see a prominent smirk plastered onto his lips. "You should wipe that confident look off your face before you get punished for it."

That was typical Enzo. His threats always amused me, but I felt a pang of something.

Fear.

I felt fear, but it was only because his threat had to do with my father. And threats concerning him were my worst nightmare. I'd been punished before. I'd been whipped. I'd been hit. I'd endured every trial he'd put me through. I wasn't going to cower at the feet of a man that was beneath me. A man that didn't deserve the throne. There was only one person who deserved to be King, and that person was me and me alone.

"Thank you again, Enzo. I'll also make sure to have you try harder the next time you want to scare me with your futile bluffs."

I heard my brother scoff as he turned his back to me, stomping away like the true fragile child he was. I couldn't help but smirk as I walked calmly up the stairs, my smirk still plastered on my face as I opened the door to my father's private chambers, but my smirk was forcibly knocked right off my face as I felt my head being swung the other way. My father before me, and enraged look on his face, and blood dripping down the two bloodied claws attached to the rings on his fingers that had just pierced my skin.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" I heard him hiss through the pain emitting from my cheek which had now gone numb. "How dare you go and embarrass me like that." And I felt his other hand connect with my other cheek. The same two claw marks appearing on my skin. "Do you think I didn't see your little act of disobedience down at the entrance, Bastion?" And then his hand was pressed against my cheek, and it began to glow green. The pain in my cheek fading away. Healing. That was my father's gift. With a single touch, he could make any wound go away. He could cure any disease. I was lucky enough to have him cure my wounds. I would have had millions of scars if not for his powers, but he didn't heal me because he felt bad. No. He healed me so he could hurt me over and over again.

"It wasn't an act of defiance." It argued, sighing in relief as his hand graced my other cheek, the familiar green glow giving me assurance that the pain would subside at any moment, and it did. "I couldn't deny her what she needed in front of those people. Do you know how that would make me look?" I asked, looking up at the tyrant known as the King. A man who cared for nothing but power or money. He wanted it all, and he would have it at any cost.

"I don't care how it makes you look." He hissed, "That was a valuable piece of treasure and you just gave it away to a weak little girl!" And his hand came toward my cheek again, but I was ready for it this time. I reached up and clutched his wrist, and my hand caught flame, causing my father, the almighty King to scream in pain, and I let go, smirking as I saw the damage I'd done. At least third-degree burns, but they were gone as soon as the green light enveloped his wound, and I was met with another scratch on my cheek. This time, I screamed. "How dare you... you insolent boy." He hissed, placing his hand on my cheek again, assuaging me of my pain once again. "I would kill you right now if you weren't my son or my best warrior. Which is the reason why I called you here."

I stood up, rubbing my numbed cheek, and listened intently as my father continued to speak. "Have you ever heard of Arendelle?" he asked, and my eyebrows raised in confusion.

Arendelle

The name sounded familiar. Too familiar. And then it hit me. "Isn't that the home of the Snow Queen?" I asked, and my father nodded. I knew we'd had probelms with Arendelle in the past. Apparently, in a war years ago, my mother died by the hands of Arendelleian soldiers. Whether my father wanted me to enter this tournament to settle his grudge match or not, I was never one to give up a challenge, especially if it meant I got to take on another supernatural being like myself. "The land of Queen Elsa?"

"Yes it is," he replied as he sat down in a chair that faced a desk with papers sprawled everywhere I had no idea how he kept it all organized. "This came for you." And he handed me an envelope, the seal the iconic symbol I had seen once before. The silhouette of a golden flower. I debated on opening it there, but one look at my father told me to just open the envelope, so I did and was greeted with a neatly written letter with impeccable handwriting.

King Victor of Ozeria,

It is with great pride and joy that I announce our annual tournament, the Warriors Trial. A month long competition that will include a series of events, testing the physical and mental limits of combatants from all Kingdoms from every far corner of the region. If you wish to participate, please send a letter including the names of one male and one female participant who would wish to compete. If the competition doesn't interest you, attending the festivities and the opening and closing banquets would be greatly appreciated. Please have your participants sent to the castle of Arendelle three weeks from now. The opening banquet will start one week after every participant is present. I look forward to your company.

Queen Elsa of Arendelle.

The letter seemed like a simple tournament invitation. Which was exactly what it was, but as I shifted my gaze to the perfectly written letter to my father, I could tell that there was much more going on in his brain than there was in mine. "Well?" He questioned, and my brows raised in confusion once again. "'Well' what?" I inquired back.

And my father laughed. He laughed a sinister, frightening laugh. "Think about it, Bastion. Think of the power you could have." And I too laughed in that moment.

And I too laughed in that moment. I laughed because I hadn't seen it before. This was my chance. This was a chance to showcase my power. My dominance. I could take the Kingdom. "I could defeat the Snow Queen," I said, matching my father's laugh, but he then shook his head.

"You're not going to defeat her, Bastion. You're going to befriend her." He contradicted, resting his elbow on the armrest of his chair, smirking evilly as I could practically see the thoughts swirling in his head, but I was utterly confused.

"Befriend her?" I questioned, wondering why my father's laugh became ever more malefic as my confusion only increased.

"Yes. Befriend her. Because when you do, it will make the revenge that much sweeter."

And I finally understood. I knew why I was going to enter this tournament.

For power

For the power I deserved. I would be the conqueror of all the lands. The Snow Queen would fall at my feet, and I would be known as the savior who took down the monster made of ice. I would be a hero to all. After my epiphany, I gazed at my father with a smirk, and he smirked in return.

"Excellent." He said, taking out his quill and pen. "I'll sign you and Ilianna up."

And my smirk faded. "What?" I asked. "No. Father there has to be someone else other than Ilianna. There has to be!" I complained. I knew that I didn't want my sister anywhere near my chance for power. I knew she would try and stab me in the back to take it at one point. I wanted nothing to do with her. I wanted her to have nothing to do with this tournament as well, but my father simply shook his head. "The letter said one male and one female participant." He stated. "She is the strongest female in our Kingdom and you are our strongest male."

I clenched my fist. "There is no possible way that she out of all people is our strongest female." I protested, only to hear a powerful, yet annoying, female voice call from behind me. "I'm guessing you have the gall to back that bold statement up?"

And I turned around, only to see my sister, or 'sister' coming toward me. Her long, raven black hair bouncing behind her in perfect waves. Her crimson red dress training behind her as if she were a goddess. Which she was. Even I had to admit that she was gorgeous, but she would never. Ever. Be my family. "I hope you remember every single time I've almost killed you in training." she continued, taking a standing spot at my side.

I had to roll my eyes. There was no way she was coming with me. "Father I can handle this myself. Ilianna won't stand a chance. I have more of a chance than she ever will." And I turned to see my so-called sister's reaction...

And she was furious

Her brows were furrowed, her teeth were bared. This was just plain bad. The next thing I know, a wave of cold surrounded me. It took me a few seconds to realize that I had an icicle pointed at my neck, and a pair of angry ice blue eyes staring right into my soul. "I'm stronger than that ice with will ever be. Don't you dare underestimate my powers again or I'll put your flame right out." She threatened.

She had me scared for a second, but even if she knew how to threaten me, I knew how to get on her nerves. I smirked as I lifted my finger underneath her chin, her head lifting with it, and brought my free arm around her waist. Now, she was staring into my eyes, anger already a visible expression on her face. She hated when I flirted with her for some odd reason. I happened to enjoy it more than a little bit. "Now is that any way to talk to your older brother?" I asked, in a calm tone she found the most agitating thing in the world.

She struggled against my grip, her hands pressing against my chest as she tried to break free of my arms, but I wouldn't let her. "Get. Your. Filthy. Hands. Off. Me." She demanded, struggling even harder than before. I vetoed her request, and simply pulled her closer, which made her visibly angrier. "Let. Go." She hissed, and I shook my head, "Not until you apologize." I insisted, beginning to caress her cheek with my hand. She obviously didn't like the way my fingers felt on her skin, because she quickly apologized, and, as a man of my word, I released her. I was then met with a fierce glare before she took her spot back at my side, her eyes diverting away from me.

"You two should go get packed." stated my father who paid no mind to us, as he was busy crafting our acceptance letter into the tournament. "Go get packed, and tell your siblings to do the same. You're all going."

And Ilianna and I had the same reaction. "What?" We both asked in unison.

"Father, the two of us are enough. Why do you want all five of us going? Especially Enzo. He'll just be reading the entire time anyway." And I shook my head in agreement, but my father obviously had his reasons.

"Enzo has a profile on every single competitor who's signed up for the tournament so far. That's fifteen out of thirty Kingdoms. Which adds to thirty competitors that you'll have the upper hand on if he goes along with you." he stated, putting the quill down for a moment to look at his son and the girl he perceived as his daughter. "The ship is ready for you. You're all leaving at sunset. You're dismissed."

And Ilianna and I turned around simultaneously, walking in stride as we exited the chambers of the King. Being the gentlemen I was, I held the door for her, and simply got an eye roll in return, but the minute the door slammed shut behind me, I felt a hand on my collar, and my back slammed into the wall, and I was met with the same blue, determined eyes I'd seen minutes ago. "Don't get in my way." She hissed, trying to still keep an angry expression as I smirked at her and laughed. "Of course," I replied, leaning in a bit closer, bringing my lips closer to hers, but I would never kiss her. She was weak. And I would never kiss someone as weak as her. "I'll stay out of your way just as long as you stay out of mine." I retorted.

And she growled in response and turned sharply as she strutted down the stairs, her crimson red train dragging behind her, and I couldn't help but smile.

\\

Sunset grew near, and I still had to pack my things for the voyage that we would soon embark on. To Arendelle. Where the Snow Queen presided. Where my conquest for power would begin. I retreated to my chambers, and went to the window, taking off my shirt as to let the sun shine on my skin, and illuminating the scars that my father had failed to heal. There were many. Some more prominent than others, but I knew they would always be a reminder of where I stood in this Kingdom. This Kingdom where power was everything and each of those scars was a reminder of a time when I wasn't strong enough. There were also the tattoos. The black marks that snaked from my back down each of my arms. The source of my power. Where my flame resided. The flame that would help me become the ruler I was meant to be, but I'd been so caught up in my thoughts of greatness that I didn't even hear a knock on my door.

"Prince Bastion." called a guard from the other side of my door.

"Yes?" I called back, as I was in the midst of putting on the first layer of my suit.

"Your ship is ready to board. Your other siblings are already there, and your father says that if you aren't down there in five minutes they will leave without you."

From there, it was a scramble to get ready. I looked like a mess by the time I got to the boat, carrying the rest of my clothing that I still needed to put on while sprinting to the boat. I could see ilianna laughing from a mile away, and when I finally boarded with a few seconds to spare, she was practically hunched over. "Ha ha ha ha." I said sarcastically. "Very funny. Bastion was late. Ha ha." I said with a major eye roll as I finally got the final layer of my clothing on. A crisp black outer coat with a matching black and red undershirt, but I felt like I was missing something, and sure enough, I was.

"I forgot my-"

But apparently, Ilianna was already on top of it all. "Your crest?" She asked, holding up a shiny piece of metal with a pin.

"Yes," I answered, honestly shocked how she knew I'd forgotten it. "How'd you know?" I asked, looking down at her as she started to straighten out my clothing. She was better at fashion than I was, and even though I would never admit it, I was grateful for her talents in that area. "I know my big brother." She answered with a smirk, just as she'd finished straightening out my clothing, and even my hair. "Thank you," I said, trying to be as ungrateful, and as annoyed as I possibly could be, but she saw through my facade easily, just as she always had. "You're very welcome." She replied with a smile, and pressed the crest, two twin dragons, the symbol of Ozeria into my outer coat, and left me with a kiss on the cheek as she turned away to head to the front of the ship.

A part of me wanted to focus on her walking away. How beautiful she was, but my mind was elsewhere. It was with Arendelle. The power that was soon to be mine. I could taste it. It was on the tip of my fingers. I could just reach out and grab it.

"Prince Bastion," Called the captain, and I turned my head, making eye contact with the man who would lead us safely to my new empire. I smirked and nodded, turning my head toward the front of the boat.

"Set sail for Arendelle!"

Hey, everybody! So that was the first chapter of my very first story. i hope you enjoyed it. I'd love to hear feedback from you guys, whether that's just telling me if you lked it or not, what I could change to make it better, or anything grammatical or structural that I could change if I made any rookie mistakes. Feel free to comment your feedback, and I hope you have an amazing rest of your day!