Disclaimer: I don't own the characters :)

13thdoodle (13thCat) 's last dp pmmm comic with pariah added in the last panel sparked several plot ideas for pmmm-verse pariah dark in the discord server. Plot idea spawned.

(kept the canon names because the whole plot is already AU enough that changing the name would make it not DP at all lol)

Pariah was the fourth in line. He was a prince. But not one that would inherit the throne. The spare of the spare's spare. There's no chance he would ever be crowned king. But he didn't mind. He was only 6 and Kings are things beyond his interest. His only interest right now is his new friend Clockwork.

They grew up together. The royal playmate that Pariah took a liking to. Clockwork never bent to his wilder demands nor his tantrums but would fulfill his whims when it benefited both of them.

As the fourth in line, no one cared much about the prince sneaking out of the castle. They didn't have time to worry about a child when there is war looming over the horizon. Their neighboring country was shifting, rumors of conscription, of metals being hammered into sharp blades and edges. Negotiations with their neighbor have soured in the past decade, drought making people restless. Their land had a major river passing through that alleviated their drought but their neighbor didn't. They had to prepare for invasion.

Pariah was 10 when his father didn't return. His eldest brother was crowned king. He was 12 when his second oldest brother was crowned next. A year later, his next brother was crowned. He was next in line.

"I wish people didn't have to suffer, Clockwork. Wars only bring more sadness and losses to everyone. Why fight when we can share?"

When his brother's favorite helmet came back without him, Pariah locked himself in his room and wept. He wasn't close to his two oldest brothers but the third brother always set aside time for him. His first sword fight lesson was taught to him by his brother. His first hunting trip was accompanied by his brother. His first set of bow and arrows...

He wished the world is kinder. If the world is kinder there would be no wars, no strife. His brother would still be here.

.

'You wish to change the world.' It was a statement not a question. Pariah looked around his room but saw nothing out of ordinary. 'Over here.' the voice rang young and clear. 'On your right. By the window. Yes, that's me.' Pariah did not recall bringing a stuffed animal into his room. It? appears to be the mysterious speaker.

"What are you?"

'I am kyubey. A wish contractor.'

"I did not hire a wish contractor. If you wish to work for me, please schedule an appointment."

Silence.

"You are intruding my private time. Please leave. Before I call the guards."

'It is strange. Under normal circumstances I offer to grant wishes to a different group of humans but something draws me to you. You have the potential to be a magia.'

.

He made a deal with the strange being. He had his doubts that he had hallucinated meeting the strange being but the ring on his right hand was the solid proof that the meeting did happen. That he had formed a contract with the being. He rolled the ring idly on his palm.
True to its promise, the following month after Pariah was crowned, the neighboring countries agreed to a peace agreement. All was peaceful. All prospered.

Peace reigned for 8 years.

Then his councilman betrayed him. Betrayed Pariah's dream.

A child with foreign blood was caught stealing an apple from a fruit vendor. The councilman ordered the child's execution. Their country neighbor demanded an apology. The man refused.

"Why? Why did you kill the child!? He was just a child! You should've given him a lighter sentence! Not even our own people are executed for theft!"

"Them! It's their fault! Why should we bow down to these-", he spat out a vile insult, "They killed our families! They killed your family. My king, we should've fought them back! We would've won under your guidance! Why did you offer peace to them? They don't deserve it!"

With heavy heart, Pariah had to order the man's execution to satisfy their neighbor country's demands of apology. But the peace was no longer secure. Both sides were angry. Old conflicts were brought up. Rude gestures and verbal insults turned into fights. Discontent grew on both sides. Despite his abilities to persuade people, Pariah was unable to diffuse it.

.

War is back on the horizon. Pariah's wish for peace just wasn't enough. His people expect him to lead the war.

"So, this is it. I've lost. Not to battles, not to wars. But by my own people. By human nature. I have forgiven our neighbors for depriving me of my family. We all lost our precious people in the first war. It's not just us. They too lost their loved ones. Yet why does no one understand this? Why do you wish to resume the war? To lose more loved ones? And for what? A brief moment of satisfaction that you've won? Why can't we all coexist in peace?"

Pariah sighed. His once bright ring had turn dark and rusty. He rolled it around in his hand, an accustomed habit of his ever since he received it. He turned to look at his longtime friend.

"I'm tired Clockwork. And yet my heart yearns to help them. Will you do it for me please my dearest friend? Take care of them in my stead?"

Clockwork looked up from the war map, "Are you going somewhere Pariah?"

Pariah turned to face the window.

Looking out at his kingdom and beyond, he continued, "It seems my time is up. I knew this would come one day but not this soon. But even if I were to reverse time again I would still wish for peace. I regret not being able to stop this from happening but I do not regret making the wish. Does this make me a terrible person Clockwork?"

"...Pariah? Are you alright? Should I go fetch a healer?"

But Pariah did not answer his question, "Human nature. I've been bested by human nature." Pariah laughed wryly, "Of all things to conquer, this is by far the most terrible foe of all. I think I understand now. Why they say kingdoms fall not to time but to it's own people. You can make your walls strong as diamond but what good can it do when it's been opened from the inside? I've built a kingdom of peace for my people, for their future, but they do not appreciate it's true worth. I'm tired Clockwork."

The corrosion was already seeping through the rings and on to his palm. It seems his time is up.

"I dream of peace. Farewell my most beloved friend. I shall take my rest now. Please take care of them for me would you? I l-" and he was gone.

Pariah was 22 when he went to sleep.