A/N: I had every intention of rewriting this fic, but decided to put that idea to rest. While my writing style has certainly evolved, I am fond of the verboseness and carefree vibe I get from reading over these original edits. As a warning, this story does touch on some darker subjects. While it's main inspiration is light-hearted stories like Tangled, there is also inspiration from darker fairy tales like Donkey Skin. I only touch on those darker subjects, however. Never dive deep. This story is meant to be fun, first and foremost. With that, enjoy!
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There was once a kingdom with rolling green hills and skies of the most vivid blue. A kingdom ruled by a mighty and fair Queen, who was loved by all. It was a land of great prosper and beyond its time in knowledge of science and technology.
The Queen's heir, the prince, was a man of virtue whose kindness knew no bounds. When he came of age and found a wife the kingdom rejoiced, for her strength and good nature was rivaled only by her beauty. The love that the prince and his bride shared was one that would stand the test of time, and when the announcement came that the new princess was with child, the kingdom was overjoyed.
But the princess grew ill, and the kingdom grew sad.
Fearful for her heir and kingdom, the aging queen called forth the greatest healers and scientists her nation held in hopes of finding a cure. Day by day, hope became a fleeting thought, and day by day, despite being minds dedicated to science, the prince and queen grew desperate for a miracle.
One night, when the prince's despair was too much to withstand, a misshapen man came forth, proclaiming he could save the princess and the unborn child. The prince called for his presence immediately, and the misshapen man presented to his majesty a silver pocket watch that, when opened, revealed a tiny fragment of scarlet stone.
"I hold in my hand a power no mortal should wield," the man proceeded to the royal court. "Good men have turned wicked, the wise have gone mad, and cities have been destroyed all for the chance to wield this cursed gem, for it holds everlasting life.
"I come forth to you not as a savior led by God, but as an alchemist and messenger of Truth. You will pay no toll for the use of this relic, but know well that should anyone find that your bride and child have this elixir flowing in their veins, they will be hunted, and they will be stolen from you."
The prince heeded his words, but his heart ached for his lover's embrace and to hear the cries of his unborn child. He pleaded for the misshapen man to save them, and he obliged.
That very night, the princess was healed and their daughter was born.
The entire kingdom celebrated and rejoiced for their royal family, and all seemed right in their nation once more.
But the neighboring kingdom did not rejoice for the kingdom of rolling hills and vivid skies. The ruler of that nation, a wrathful and hollow man, held nothing but loathing for the prosperity and wealth of his neighbor. He wanted the secrets of their science for his own greed, and upon hearing the news of the mysterious recovery, the king's dark heart took a deeper plunge into the depths of sin.
He called forth his General, a man whose soul was as black as his eyes, and forged a wicked plan.
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Months come to pass, a treaty of peace is offered to the rolling hills of the Resembool kingdom. Though their lands did not see the strife of war, the neighboring countries' bloodshed threatened to greet them soon. The prince took it as his duty to meet for the signing of the treaties, and the princess and their babe joined in an act of goodwill and faith to their new ally.
They knew nothing of the evils that followed them to the borders of their home.
"I pray we reach the palace soon," the princess sighs, swaying her weeping child amidst the bouncing of the carriage. "The baby has never cried so much. I worry she may be ill."
The prince looked to his beloved wife, taking in the distress of their daughter, and did his best to grin.
"Worry not, love," he replied. "Our journey home is almost over, and our little one is strong. She'll be back to her happy, glowing self in no time."
His words brought the princess great comfort, and she shined a smile that would make the very stars jealous. It was enough to bring the prince peace in such a tremulous time.
But that peace was short-lived, fr an arrow shot through the window of the carriage, nearly striking the family.
The princess let out a scream as the prince pulled her and the child to the floor.
"Ambush!" a soldier cried. "Protect the royal family!"
The prince's eyes grew wide. They were betrayed. Damnit, they should have known!
A soldier ripped the carriage door open before he could think to pray.
"Your majesties, you must—" the soldier began, but a sword cut through his middle, silencing him instantly.
Soulless black eyes glint like fire as a man pulled the sword free of the soldier's body, licking the blade as he swiped it by his tongue. The royal family had no time to panic before the man grabbed the princess by the hair of her scalp, the baby's cries blending with those of her mother as they were both pulled from the carriage. The prince tried to follow, but the man shut the door and barricaded it with the sheath of his blade.
The prince pounded at the door, begging for mercy.
"Take me!" he cried. "Kill me if you must, just please don't hurt them!"
But the black-eyed man did not listen. Instead, he pressed his blade against the long, porcelain neck of the princess, smiling a wicked sneer as he sunk it deep into her flesh, and sliced.
She fell to the ground with a heavy thud, her dress smothering their infant daughter.
The prince screamed,
"Farewell, your majesty!" he mocked, and set the carriage on fire, laughing mirthfully as the prince's screams echoed through the night.
The remaining soldiers were slaughtered. The remnants of his battalion were busily pick-pocketing the dead bodies when he heard it.
The cries of a baby.
He moved to the princess, tossing her body aside to reveal the wailing child.
He kicked it, but the baby did not stop crying. It was as if it were unaffected.
He took his sword and stabbed at its fatty middle, but the baby did not quiet. When he pulled his sword away, he realized there was no wound.
The baby wouldn't die.
"What the devil.." he whispered, and grabbed it by the leg.
He gasped, for a power he had never felt surged through his body that was more intoxicating than any wine or bodily release.
He looked at the child and saw the fainted glow about her body, and knew, somehow, this child held powers beyond his comprehension.
"My baby…" He heard a woman say, and his eyes shot back to the princess. "Please.. my.. baby.."
He walked abruptly and pierced her heart with a blade, and a glow much like the baby's faded away from her body. She must have held the power, too, but it was gone from her now.
"W-W…" She stuttered, blood splattering the skin around her lips. "W-Winry.."
The man smiled and looked at the child.
"Winry, huh?" He whispered. "You shall be my greatest treasure."
"What'd ya find there, General Kimblee?" An officer asked, and Kimblee's greed took control of his mind.
He grabbed the man by the neck, and to his shock watched him implode. He looked down at the baby and noticed the glow had become brighter, almost a shade of red.
His wicked smile grew larger, and he used the infant's power to kill off the rest of his troops.
"You will be my treasure," He whispered, running rampantly into the darkness. "And no one else's, my little Winry."
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The kingdoms went to war after that tragic night. No one ever knew what had happened to the royal baby, as her body had never been found.
Little did they know, that deep within the uncharted forests, in a hidden fortress buried underground, the baby lived.
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