Hey everyone, Jaykid1 here with another chapter of DoT. I'm shocked with how popular the story became in such a short time. According to reviews, there are a few people curious about Menma's goal. Normally I'd say if you want to know PM me, but for the moment I want to see if anyone can guess what Menma plans to do. Also, I hope you all realized that the staff's Naruto and Menma have are the two sides of the sage's staff from Naruto.
I'm shutting the poll down exactly 48 hours after this chapter is posted because I will need the animal chosen for Ch 4. 38 people voted and so far it looks like there's a clear winner. Of those 38 people, 7 voted for 9 Tailed Fox, 12 voted for Dragon and 19 voted for 10 Tailed Wolf. Even if I was counting the reviews (Which I'm not) of the the people that said fox or dragon, Wolf is still in the lead. Better hurry and vote you people that don't want wolf. But if you leave a comment with a good enough reason as to why I should choose that answer, I may count it toward the poll.
BTW, I changed my mind, the Warden is Aedan Cousland, the same one from the DA:O sacred ashes trailer. Also, Morrigan will be slightly OOC than her canon counterpart. Oh and before I forget, I'm not sure if it's mentioned anywhere but in this, Flemeth is Morrigan's true mother.
Now it's unknown how old Morrigan is but in this story she's not much older than Menma and Naruto, to make this easier on myself, Morrigan will be 28, making her only 6 years older than the boys.
-000-
Warden's Camp outside Kocari Wilds...
Morrigan was a nervous wreck. She had just requested her companion... friend... lover... whatever he was to her to kill her mother and get her true Grimoire from her. The reason she was so nervous was because she knew how powerful her mother was, not to mention the old woman could become a dragon, which Morrigan forgot to warn her... something or other and his companions about. Maker she was frustrated, years of locking her emotions away and in the span of a month, that man had broken through and made her care for him and his well being. She loved him and she hated it. Her sister was a powerful mage, maybe more powerful than their mother. She fell in love and look what it got her, she was dead now.
Kaguya would always say that her love was what gave her power, but if that was true, then she would be here helping her with these bothersome thoughts like she used to when she was a child(1). Kaguya swore she would always be there for her and Morrigan counted on her to comfort her whenever their mother was being unnecessarily cruel to her. That all changed when she ran away with that demon, leaving Morrigan alone with their crazy mother. What made it worst was that she didn't even say goodbye.
"Why didn't you take me with you, Kaguya?" She asked herself as her eyes filled with unshed tears.
"Feeling sentimental?" A dark distorted voice said from behind her.
Startled, Morrigan whirled around and saw a masked man with spiky black hair with a staff with a 'C' head. "Who, who are you?" She said going for her staff.
"You wound me auntie, don't you recognize your nephew?" The figure said as he removed his mask, revealing himself to Morrigan.
Seeing the face of her nephew, Naruto, Morrigan almost dropped her guard but tensed up again when she realized something was wrong. For starters the eyes looking back at her were not the dazzling purple of her sister, but a menacing crimson and the pupil was slit dangerously. The other thing that told her this wasn't Naruto was the sinister smile on his face, showing off his sharpened teeth. But what really had her question the identity of the person standing in front of her was the individuals bare forehead, where a blood red third eye with 3 ripples and 9 tomoe stared back at her. Naruto always kept his forehead covered. Morrigan backed away warily when realization slammed into her. "M-Menma."
Menma's sinister smile got bigger. "Let me guess, you thought I was Naruto didn't you. I heard you and he were at the very least civil with one another. Still blaming us for mother 'leaving' you behind?"
"H-how did you..." Morrigan started.
Menma held out a book. "It's all in Grandmother's Grimoire." He said.
Morrigan's eye widened when she saw the real Grimoire in his hands. "How did you get that?"
She shivered involuntarily when his smile turned cruel. It was easy to obtain, when I tore off Flemeth's head." Morrigan now felt fear grip her. She looked Menma over and saw he didn't have a scratch on him. She knew Flemeth would have fought back but if he had the Grimoire, then she must have been killed. And if he killed Flemeth, than she knew he could kill her in an instant if he truly wanted to. She suddenly wanted to run, but her legs wouldn't move. Menma looked back down at the book. "Quite an interesting read really. It had a lot to say about mother and why Grandmother hated father so much. But what I found most interesting is what it said pertaining to you and what she planned for you." He said. That caught Morrigan's attention. Menma caught the interest in her eye. "You want this do you? Tell ya what, you give me the other Grimoire that I know you have and I'll give you this one. Sound like a fair trade does it not?"
Morrigan reached into the pack attached to her hip and pulled out the Grimoire that was useless to her. There were powerful spells in this book. While she could not use them, giving them to Menma didn't seem like a good idea. "What do you want it for?"
A frown now marred his face. "Tis none of your business what I want it for. I am trying to be nice, but if you prefer, I could take it from your corpse instead?" He said as he flipped his staff as the blunt end became a sword halberd. "Either way I will have that book."
'Well that makes my choice easier.' She thought as she held the book out to Menma who gladly took it while giving her the one he pilfered from Flemeth's cottage.
"There now, was that so hard." He said as he put his mask back on and changed his weapon back into a staff. "Until we meet again auntie." He said as he vanished in a swirl that seem to originate from his forehead.
When he was gone, Morrigan fell to her knee's. She hadn't realized that the entire time she was in his presence, she was shaking. Looking to the book in her hands, she opened the book and began reading. What she would soon learn was that everything that she thought she knew about her sister and everything that Flemeth taught her was wrong.
Four Hours Later...
Aedan Cousland had just returned to camp with his companions. He had promised Morrigan he would kill her mother to stop the mad witch from taking her body to extend her life and to get her true Grimoire. Unfortunately, not only did he and his companions not get the Grimoire, they also found no sight of Flemeth. All they had found was a dead High Dragon and Flemeth's ransacked hut.
Aedan, without his armor, was heading toward Morrigan's tent which was away from the others as she prefered her privacy, which helped with their amorous activity's. He'd admit that while he'd do something like this for any of his comrades, Morrigan was a special case. To everyone else she was rude, sarcastic and sometimes cruel, but to him, she was a tad bit nicer. He was probably the only one to see her for what was on the inside, which was a kind and caring individual. Of course with being raised by Flemeth, he couldn't blame her for locking her feelings away. He really wasn't looking forward to her reaction.
When he got to her tent, he found her outside on her knees while clutching something to her chest. Noticing her shaking a bit, he grew a bit concerned. "Morrigan?" When she turned her head to him, he was incredibly shocked to see that she had tears streaming down her face. "Morrigan! What happ..." He was cut off as she was suddenly on her feet and in his arms with her head buried in his chest. Not knowing what else to do, he wrapped his arms around her and held her close. He could hear her mumbling something that sounded like 'she left to protect me', but he didn't know who she was talking about. All he could do was hold the woman he loved and never mention this to the others when she calmed down less Morrigan kill him very painfully.
-000-
Kirkwall (one week later)...
After two weeks at sea, stuffed in a boat with some of the rudest and smelliest of Ferelden's finest, the ragtag group consisting of the Hawke family, Aveline and Naruto finally reached Kirkwall. During the week at sea where he introduced himself, Naruto actually made friends with the females of the group, more so with Marian, who he discovered prefered being called by her family name. It didn't surprise him that the other male in their little group remained petulant when it regarded him. He didn't understand how someone with a mage for a father and siblings could be so closed-minded about the mystical, but that was none of his business(2). What did surprise him was that Aveline so was friendly to him. He did technically kill her husband yet she didn't hold it against him, not that he was complaining mind you.
When the ship docked, the group of six was amongst the first off. Naruto looked around and noticed something, this wasn't the docks. "So this is the Gallows." He said getting looks from everyone but Leandra. Seeing the looks he explained. "Kirkwall doesn't have a Circle of Magi, so they keep their Circle mages locked away here, in the same places they kept the slaves of old. Tch, city of chains indeed, it's disgusting." He said, giving his opinion that Marian and Bethany enthusiastically agreed to.
The group continued on toward the entrance to the city when Aveline saw the guards. "There not letting anyone into the city."
"What? That can't be." Leandra replied.
"It's true. Look at them all." Aveline pointed to the guards that were keeping people back.
"Are we really surprised? Everyone's fleeing the Darkspawn. Just as we are." Carver said.
"And they would throw us back to the wolfs, unbelieveable!" Aveline spoke up, voicing her outrage.
"T'is totally believable. They don't want filthy refugee's stinking up there 'perfect' city." Naruto said, his voice heavy with sarcasm.
"Hmph, I'm only surprised they let us dock." Marian said.
Leandra spoke up now. "We need to find Gamlen. Our family has always been highly regarded in Kirkwall. He can do something, I'm sure of it."
"Lets hope he recieved your letter." Bethany said.
Aveline looked at the line of guards and saw a man in charge. "The guards seem to be reporting to that man there. We should speak with him."
After speaking with the admittedly shitty guard, they were directed to someone who they could talk too about getting into the city. After walking into the square, they saw who they assumed to be Captain Ewald, the man they had to talk too. However, he was surrounded by a bunch of angry mercenaries. Naruto walked up to Bethany and placed his hand on her shoulder getting her attention. "If a fight breaks out, you should keep back. The last thing we need is for you to be using your magic here in the Gallows of all places." He said while she reluctantly agreed. Bethany didn't like the idea of sitting back and watching while everyone else fought.
"Let us through you flaming blighter! We're not staying in this pit!" One of the mercenaries said angrily.
"Then get back in your ship and leave. Kirkwall has no more room for refugees." Ewald said.
"The ship's already gone. We paid good coin to get here!" Another mercenary said.
"You and half of Ferelden. There's nothing I can do! The city is full!"
Marian and her group walked forward now. "One of the guards said you were letting in people who had business in the city." She said.
"That's right! We've seen you let lot's of people through!" The first mercenary said.
"Citizens and merchants who make it worth our while." Ewald said to the mercenaires before turning to Hawke's group. "I'll assume that you don't have anymore coin than these gentlemen?"
"And you may just make an ass of yourself. Exactly how much is it to get in?" Naruto asked stepping forward.
"More than you have I'm sure." Ewald said.
Now Naruto was in his face. "That isn't an answer. Don't tell me I don't have enough coin without telling me how much is required. Now lets try this again and this time, try not to be an evasive dick. Who knows, you may find yourself with a few less refugees bothering you. How much do we need to get into the city?" Naruto said.
Ewald was looking this man right in the eye. After a moment he spoke. "Five sovereigns... each."
"See, now was that so hard." Naruto said as he turned back to the others and motioned them to the side. "Okay, good news and bad. Good news I have enough coin. Bad news, I only have enough to send one person in." He said as he allowed this to sink in. "I think we should send Lady Leandra in."
"What? I can't just leave you all here!" Leandra said reluctantly.
"Out of all of us you're the one that use to live here. Once you're inside you should be able to find your brother Gamlen fairly quickly. I doubt we'd be out here that long." Naruto said.
The guard at the gate was still close enough to hear them and recognized the name. "Gamlen? As in Gamlen Amell? I know that name." He said.
Bethany spoke up. "He's a nobleman here in the city."
"Our family has an estate." Carver finished for his twin.
"A nobleman? The only Gamlen Amell I know is a weasel who couldn't rub two coppers together." Ewald said. Noticing the shocked and outraged looks on the four people that were obviously related he continued. "Listen if I see him I'll see him through, but in the meantime I..."
"What! You're gonna let them through?!" One of the mercenaries interrupted.
"I didn't say anything about..." Ewald was cut off again.
"We've been here 4 days, they just got here!" A mercenary complained.
"That's it! We're carving are way out of here! Me-EH!" The mercenary that was the leader was cut off as a scythe whirled around and his head was suddenly rolling on the ground.
The other mercs were so shocked by the sudden death of their leader that they missed Marian and Carver's attacks until three more of them were dead, leaving the archers who finally snapped out of it and went to get distance but two of them were slain by Naruto's scythe while the third and final member got a dagger lodged into his head, courtesy of Marian throwing it.
"Unbelievable." Ewald commented at what he just saw.
Suddenly the asshole guard from before came through. "Captain, are you alright?"
Ewald glared at the fool. "I am no thanks to you. Where is everyone? Go get them. I want this kept under control!" He said as the man ran off. Ewald turned to Naruto and Marian. "You have my thanks. Listen I can't get you into the city, but I overheard your earlier conversation. If you send the lady in, I'll send one of my guards with her to help find Gamlen. Knowing him, at this time he'll either be at the Hanged Man in Lowtown or the Blooming Rose in Hightown." He said.
Marian turned to her mother. "Well mother, it's our best chance." She said.
Leandra sighed. "Very well, I don't like that I'm leaving you all here but I'll try to hurry." She said.
"Then it's settled, the 5 of us will wait here while you find your brother." Naruto said as he walked up to Ewald and gave him 5 sovergians. Ewald waved one of the guardsmen over and sent them inside Kirkwall with Leandra to find Gamlen. Meanwhile, Naruto looked at his other companions and jingled his coin purse. "Anyone hungry, I should have enough to feed us." He said as everyone but Carer moved to a stand.
It was two hours later when an angry Leandra was leading another man, who they could only assume was Gamlen, by the ear toward them. "Everyone meet Gamlen, Gamlen everyone." She said testily. What no one knew was that when she found Gamlen, he was at the Blooming Rose, what she didn't know was that the Blooming Rose was a whore house. It didn't help that as they spoke, Leandra learned that Gamlen had sold the estate. Her outrage extended to her children and Aveline when they discovered that they would have to either become smugglers or mercenary's for a year. After pissing off the Red Iron mercenary group, the group of 5 met with an elf named Athenril and agreed to help her with smuggling.
"Well we're off to an excellent start." Marian said.
"At least we're all together." Bethany commented while Carver remained stoic.
"What do you plan on doing during your stay Naruto?" Marian asked him.
"I don't know yet. Ideally I'd like to get rid of this amulet as soon as possible but something tells me I should wait a while. So I guess I'll just play it by ear." He said smiling at her while she smiled back.
"I just hope this year goes by fast." Aveline said.
-000-
Redcliffe Castle (Eight months later (3))
Aedan and his friend Alister were in the fight of their lives against the Archdemon. Normally if a Grey Warden slayed the Archdemon, its soul would enter the Warden's body and kill them both. But thanks to his lover Morrigan, they performed a ritual where he could slay the Archdemon and live. He apparently had to have a baby with Morrigan. Apparently that was the original reason she was suppose to accompany him and Alistar, to seduce one of them and sire a child with the soul of an old god then disappear to raise it herself, that is until she got a hold of Flemeth's true Grimoire which apparently doubled as a journal. He was still trying to figure out how she got a hold of that.
Apparently she learned that her big sister that left her with their mother years ago actually had full intention of taking Morrigan with her. Sadly Flemeth found out about her plan and cast a curse on Morrigan so that anytime her sister was near her, Morrigan would convulse in agony. Having no choice to leave her behind now, Morrigan's sister left her to protect her. Morrigan also learned how her sister really died.
Learning all this and figuring love wasn't the weakness she once thought it was, Morrigan now had full intention of doing the ritual and raising the child together with Aedan. Considering he had imagined a family with Morrigan a few times before, it wasn't that hard to convince him to go through with it. Aedan and Alister had no idea that there was another person on the castle nearby waiting for the fight to end.
Alister had drove his sword into the Archdemon's leg, causing it to fumble and trip. Aedan approached the Dragon and with a war cry, drove his blade into the beast skull. Suddenly a shock wave pushed both the Wardens back as the Archdemon glowed as it's purple soul shot out of it's body and flew off toward where Aedan knew Morrigan to be before it suddenly stopped and flew back toward them. The two Warden's eyes widened in horror when they saw this, thinking the ritual didn't work, until the soul flew passed them and into the outstretched left hand of a masked figure with spiky black hair and a black robe with fur lining the collar. One the soul was completely absorbed into the figure, they watched as the figure suddenly convulsed as his hair grew down his back and turned white as two horns burst from his head.
"Yes! Now I am whole!" The figure said in a dark voice that sent shivers up the two Wardens spine. Before they could do anything, the figure vanished in a swirl. The two friends looked at one another, asking with their eyes if they knew what the hell just happened.
Leaving the castle, they saw the battles had indeed ended and the Darkspawn were in full retreat, so the Archdemon was gone they had won, but just who was the man who absorbed the Archdemon's soul?
-000-
1. Like I said above, it's unknown how old Morrigan is as she looks exactly the same in Inquisition, but Flemeth is centuries old apparently, so it's not crazy to believe that Morrigan could have another sister beside Yavanna. So it's not confusing, Yavanna is the oldest while Kaguya is the middle and Morrigan is the youngest.
2. Que Kermit drinking his tea.
3. I don't know if it was a full year or just under a year when the Archdemon was killed in Origins.
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That's chapter 3. The Chapters after this will be longer as the story will finally get underway. Things are beginning to heat up in Thedas.
Remember people the poll closes in 48 hour. Today is the 14th so that means on the 16th the poll results will be counted with the reviews with a good reason and the animal will be chosen.
Read, Review, Favorite and Follow.
TTFN
