Oh boys that's right! Left you all on a cliff hanger…more of a river cruise but you get what I mean. Big shout out to Antex-The Legendary Zoroark for all of your wonderful reviews and GrimaxNaga! You two legit are so amazing and supportive, like, I can't even…or odd. I don't like math. That aside I truly appreciate everyone that's reading, have favourited/followed the story. Honestly, I thought people were going to hate it and it would flop. Lastly, I'm sorry but our ride with our precious cinnamon rolls Ascalon and George is only going to get worse because we all know how Nohr was when the game started and well…gotta get it there. Gotta make the babies stronk for the motherland!

Quick side note, the image that I have in mind for what George looks like is kind of a mix between Toothless (How to Train Your Dragon Movies) and the dragon Corrin turns into in the game. Just to help you all get a bit of a visual on what he is appearance wise. Also, I will be putting up a picture of adult Ascalon soon, as the story picture, I just need to draw and color it.

Warning:

Chapter Nine: A Changing World

[Medical Bay/Barracks- Ascalon, Arcturus, Phier]

Phier, wrapped in a blanket, fussed and whined as she waited outside of the closed off Med Bay, only stopping as Arcturus gently pulled her down to sit next to him on one of the benches. She huffed angrily, upset that the first person to see their boy when he woke up was their king, rather than his parents. He'd nearly died, taking damage not just from tripping over himself and his coughing fits, but being thrown into the deadly cold river that ran through the forest just outside the villas. Frostbitten and hypothermic it was a miracle he was able to keep all of his limbs and extremities. Healers worked tirelessly on him for the rest the evening, leaving his side when the small child woke up and came back to the world, full of guilt.

King Garon, who had been waiting for him to return to consciousness, rushed down in an unnatural panic, and ordered for everyone to leave so that him and the child could speak in private. Phier had boldly objected, claiming that he would still be in shock and that he needed to rest. She had also been incredibly luck, as most who did something of that received at least a powerful back hand to their face. That night though, she saw the pain in her king's eyes, the confusion he was lost in, and apologized immediately. He clasped a hand on her shoulder and said he would be as brief as possible, but he needed to know what happened while it was fresh in the child's mind.

Inside the Med Bay, Garon sat on the edge of Ascalon's temporary bed, noting the child's shaking and still blue lips, all the mixed emotions that reflected strongly in his young eyes. Sighing, as the night had been hard on everyone, the tired king did not have it in him to be upset at the shivering child before him. Instead he wrapped an extra blanket around him, calming the kid down just smidge and watched as Ascalon numbly pulled it close, dark hair still dripping water and soaking part of the fabric. After two minutes passed Garon cleared his throat and began his interrogation.

"Child, what happened tonight? Lady Sinistra is dead, Queen Arete is missing, and Princess Azura is gone as well. You were pulled out of the Knil River, half drown and deliriously ranting about it being your fault. Please explain boy." Garon asked, already exhausted and ready to go to bed.

Sniffling Ascalon gave him a weak nod, head pounding in pain, and lifelessly rasped out, "Sinistra discovered a powerful curse, wrote it in a letter she left for you…so you would die, and she could take the throne. I was out because I needed to ask Queen Arete something. Sinistra found me, chased me down, and almost killed me. Arete knew she had been plotting something, killed Sinistra, and found out from her about the letter. I…don't fully remember what happened next, but she took me with her and ran. We went to her villa, where she told Azura and I…"

"Told you what? What did she tell you two?"

"…She…she…she told us about the curse, that she loved us, you, and Nohr so much that she could not let us die…she died instead. The curse killed her. We hugged her, told her to stop, but she faded away in our arms. She gave Azura her necklace, gave me the other earring, and died. Then me came and took Azura. I tried. I couldn't breathe but I tried. I just…I couldn't fail again but I did. I'm just a failure. Just kill me. I'm not worth it, or anything. I couldn't save anyone." The broken child cried, curling into himself more as the weight of everything settled in. He couldn't look at his king, his parents, friends, or himself.

Garon watched him, unsure whether to oblige the child's request or to keep him alive. He had failed however, he had succeeded in places others had not. None of his guards knew what was happening, what Sinistra had planned. No one except Ascalon knew what the captors looked like or had tried to go after them. Deep in thought as the boy shed more tears, he debated what to do, how to move forward. His heart ached as he had lost, yet again, a piece of himself, someone he loved that brightened his day and brought music to his life. A dark bitterness ate away at him. Looking at the child again he chose, one last time, to show mercy…for her.

"Ascalon, you have done more than some of my well-trained guards, and almost rescued Azura. You were not responsible for my-Queen Arete's death, and I apologize that I did not see Sinistra for what she was sooner. You have my thanks, the thanks of Nohr and her people. Rest now; I must speak with your parents." King Garon told him, watching as Ascalon's gold eyes, that were so much like Arete's, widened in shock and then softened in exhaustion. Seconds later he was asleep, and the King left as his heart hardened.

When he exited the Medical Bay Garon told the healers to attend to the child, to treat him at a wyvern knight's level, for he had earned it at last. Then he motioned to the concerned captains, gesturing for them to step aside with him and have a word. Both of them did as ordered, concealing their fear and worries, kneeling before him and then rising so that they could make eye contact as they spoke to one another. Seconds ticked by at an agonizingly slow pace.

"He has a health condition. Captain Arcturus, Captain Phier, neither of you told me of this. How long has he had this?" He asked, cutting to the point.

"Uh…yes your majesty. We withheld this because the healers told us it might recover given time. It seemed a needless thing to fret about. We beg for your forgiveness your majesty." Arcturus explained, bowing as his gut twisted.

"Hm, well it seems it is now something to be concerned over. He did a great service to Nohr, defending his home and the royal family, even if he failed. You two will help him overcome this condition or he will die in the new rank he has been awarded. You may see him when the healers have finished. Good night you two." He stated, taking a couple of steps. Just as he reached the exit he halted, gazing at them over his shoulder and added, "Also, if I catch either of you lying to me again, it will be a dark day for your new family, as everyone gets caught in a lie."

Once he was gone Arcturus released a shaky breath, one he thought would never come, and leaned against the wall, wrapping himself up in his own arms so for one moment he could feel safe in the changing world he lived in. Phier, after calming herself down, took on of her husband's hands and ran her thumb soothingly over his knuckles, telling him things would be alright even if she didn't say it aloud.

"We'll figure this out Arc, like we always have. We'll keep him safe until one day we can all be happy. And then, when we get to that happy place, we won't have to worry anymore. Until then, we need to be strong, for us and him…for Hela and Nix. Let's go see our boy." She told him encouragingly, gently pulling him along to the Med Bay doors.

That night the wyvern lord, the soldier, and the blue-haired boy spent together, staying awake until the morning and telling tales of their journeys, adventures, and places they'd yet to go. Huddling together the family, surviving in a dark world, grew closer than most would expect from such chaos. Neither parent knew that their actions, their stories, would be what their child would hold dear to as he grew up. Neither one knew how it made his heart and imagination soar.

[6 Years Later- Ascalon- Somewhere He Shouldn't Be]

Whooping in excitement Ascalon, much taller but still just as lanky, stood on George's saddle as they sailed through the sky at speeds Phier and Arcturus had told him not to. He had on his mask though, an armor piece with a cloth slip to act as some kind of filter, and so long as that was in place the heavens were his and his friend's playground. With two gentle tugs on the right half of the reins he'd designed the indigo dragon gave a playful snort and swooped up ward, higher and higher, rolling his eyes as the young man crouched down low and cheered him on. Little did either of them know that way down below an exasperated general watched on, arms folded, and eyebrows raised.

When the moment was right, and they were hitting the parts of the sky where rain heavy clouds hung low, Ascalon shouted, "Alright Georgie, split!". That said the young wyvern knight vaulted backwards, launching himself into the air and feeling the wind rush against his face. Soon he began to plummet, not a care in the world, and opened his eyes to watch as he descended at a breakneck pace. This was nothing new though and he, having done this multiple times, angled himself so that he had better traction and looked to his left to find George next to him, horns/antlers and scales shimmering in the sunlight.

Grinning at his best friend, his partner in crime for everything, he held his arms out to the side and swooped over to glide loops around the dragon, floating over and further away after. George followed suit, playing as well and letting loose a puff of gold flames, earning a whoop from his boy. Together they fell past the tall sides of the canyon walls under them, Ascalon's yells of excitement echoing loudly throughout the natural pathways. At the last possible moment, just as the wyvern knight neared the dangerously close stones, a swift dark tail swept in from above and he took hold of it tightly, hands wrapping around the handles on the special piece of armor he made literally for this.

From a safe location on the ground Arcturus looked to the top of the tree closest to him, finding the lavender haired princess sitting among the high branches and watching with a dreamy look on her face. He contemplated whether or not to interrupt the two, a small part of him alarmed that they were out this far, alone, doing reckless tricks. The decision was made for him however, as another man on a horse arrived and then gave a great and heavy sigh.

"How did he ever survive the harsh chill of winter on his own? I can't see it." Xander tiredly asked, not expecting a real answer from the chuckling general.

Camilla, who was terribly surprised, looked down and blushed deeply as she found her older brother and Arcturus were both here. Flustered and annoyed she climbed down swiftly, grateful for the pants she had on and hoping no one noticed they weren't hers. Ascalon had argued with her for half an hour about her needed pants for flying like this before he simply gave her a pair of his own. Once on solid ground she dusted herself off, freezing when she straightened out and found both men watching her. Xander's gaze was harsh but didn't catch everything. She wished she could say the same for her best friend's father though.

"Glad you could join us Princess. Tell me, why are you encouraging my son to do these idiotic tricks? He's probably never going to need them." Arcturus asked, amused and holding back from jumping to conclusions.

"You are neither a wyvern knight nor lord so how do you know they're useless? Besides, him and George are always in perfect sync, so there really is no danger to this; it's just them having fun and bonding with each other. It's beautiful how close they are. Watching them fly…it's almost like they're dancing." She explained, turning her attention back to the fast approaching pair.

Xander rolled his eyes at his sister while the general laughed, looking to his boy and trying to imagine what dancing in the sky would be. It was when Ascalon and George landed that both pairs of exotic eyes widened at the sight of the newcomers. He choked on the next breath he took, coughing some as the now awkward dragon touched down, neither one excited for the lecture they were about to get from the two that gave them the sternest glares possible. Camilla went to the side and helped her friend down, sneaking George and apple as an apology for not spotting the two, and then quietly explaining to Ascalon what happened. He gave her a warm smile and then, patting her on the shoulder and reassuring her, he stepped around and went to his father.

"Hi dad, Xander…why are you here? Not that I don't want you guys here it's just…a surprise. That's all." He said, voice trilling once as his nervousness was coming through. This wasn't his first time being caught like this, but it was a first being caught like this with Camilla.

Before Xander could get a word in Arcturus spoke, sarcasm and disappointment clear, stating, "Oh you know, I was going for a stroll and thought to myself, 'Hey, I wonder if that sound was my precious, brilliant, caring, son going splat on the walls of the Brune Canyon walls?'. Naturally, as I love my only child very deeply, I decided to check. Oh, and Xander came along too, you know, because he was worried about someone he treats just like a brother. He said you were being reckless. Can you believe that?

"Right. Can't believe it dad. Ha ha ha, super funny."

"Ascalon Rein Avenstar, we need to talk. Just us."

"Yes dad." He answered, serious this time as it was not common his full name was used by either parent.

Handing George's reigns over to Camilla he quietly told her to take him back to the castle, saying he'd let her know when he got back himself, and then followed his father who had climbed off Phoebus, his horse. The pair walked off in the direction of the lake nearby, being watched worriedly by the princess and approvingly by the prince. Once the father and son were out of sight Xander gave Camilla a once over and, after sighing, promised not to tell their own father, rolling his eyes as she let out a relieved breath she had pent up. Taking their friend's dragon with them the pair left and returned home.

It was a good ten-minute walk, all of it done silently, before Arcturus and Ascalon reached the banks of the lake. With a grunt the older of the two sat down on the sandy ground, patting the space next to him and waiting as glumly his child joined him. Neither spoke as they looked out across the water, watching the ripples dance on the surface and slowly fade out, eventually disappearing. When his son was distracted Arcturus took a moment to gaze at his child, take in the young man he'd become way too quickly. He was handsome, in his own way even though facial hair never seemed to take root on his face, and he usually held himself with a confidence he'd worked tirelessly for.

Gold eyes watched the small waves that crashed almost silently onto the shore, seeming to capture the movements and study them. Earrings dotted the edge of his right ear, covering the past. Braids pulled most of the long dark hair from his face, coming together in a small ponytail at the center of the back of his head, while the rest was held in a lower ponytail at the base of his skull. Proudly his son wore the old armor he had worn, back when he first joined the military. Sighing he shook his head and knew, deep down, he could not truly be upset with his boy.

"Ascalon, what do you want most in life? What drives you to do all that you do?" He asked, eyes losing themselves once again to the peaceful waters.

Surprised by his father's odd questions, as he had been expecting him to scold him instead, Ascalon thought for a moment, lost as to what to say. It was a moment before he answered with, "I…I want peace, to not have to hide who my friends are. To not have to constantly be perfect because if I fail my who family suffers. This odd dream, one I've had many times in the past three years, is what drives me. I know, it's dumb, probably impossible."

"Tell me it anyway. It's kind of fun to think of the impossible."

"Uh…okay then. Well, it's of this place…a beautiful one where there's lots of plant and animal life, even though the sky holds a darkness to it, like home. Just on the edge of the trees there's a home, with laughter coming from it and everything just feels right. No talk of war, no one hurting each other just for sport, it's calm. No one has to hide and there's a lightness in the air; one that can only come once things are resolved. I doubt it'll ever happen just like that but, it's a pleasant hope that burns in a small part of my heart. Sorry."

"Ha, that's funny. I had the same kind of dream when I was younger. My biggest mistake was giving up on it, letting the light be snuffed out. Something unexpected happened though, and whether I wanted it or not, the candle was relit. Partially melted, as George can make some strong flames, but lit none the less." Arcturus replied, smiling as he thought of how dramatically his life had changed.

"You know, peace is a fickle thing my son, as it requires both light and dark and cannot exist without either. In all of my time being alive, seeing the world, losing and gaining much, I've learned that balance is what has been absent from everyone's life. Not many can see it, and most that do are often seen as traitors to both sides. You were almost one of them, far too many times. Constantly you get in trouble as you go off and defend people you barely know, take the hits for them even when you're suffering yourself, and stubbornly getting back up to do all of it again, over and over. You remind me of this lake, in how much you've grown."

"That's an odd comparison dad. Why this?"

Laughing softly, he looked at his perplexed son, meeting his gold eyes with his brown, and then turned back. Loftily he replied, "Before I found you this lake was no bigger than the fountain in the courtyard at the villas. This impressive body was small, weak, struggling to survive in the harsh environment it existed in. Unlike most in similar positions, who would eventually die out and cease to be, this small body pressed on when and where it could, taking the unknowing help it received when it nurtured the wildlife about it, fueling an up and coming ecosystem, just as you have fueled many things. In your goals you've always been persistent, like a wave wearing down the shore it crashes on."

Ascalon stayed quiet as he understood what his father was saying at last, looking at the exact natural occurrence he had just been associated with. He listened on as his father continued, saying, "Everything works just as planned, with nothing interfering or disrupting the natural order. Light and shadow support this environment, giving and receiving in equal ways, achieving a peaceful balance with one another. Yet, if an outside element came into play, like a man-made fire, then everything could be destroyed. It would wipe out the plants, kills the animals, even evaporate the water if it's large enough. Tell me son, what would you do if that happened? You had peace, but it was taken away and left almost nothing behind."

Taken back by then sudden turn in the conversation, and that he needed to answer, Ascalon thought hard as to what he would in fact do, if that scenario occurred. It was as his eyes locked onto a leaf that had just fallen from a vine that he responded, slowly at first. "I would find whatever was left behind and care for it, water it, and try to refill the lake…at least enough that it could survive. It would be a lot of work, and not all of it would come back, but new things might grow. With that different animals would show up, changing the landscape, and eventually it would be at peace again. I'd probably be old and grey by the time it would be thriving again but, it'd be worth it."

"Just like how, with lots of hard work and care, your dream could come true. Not so silly after all eh?"

"…Where is my dad and who replaced him with a wise man?"

"Oh, you know he's probably off throwing himself foolishly from a dragon, risking the disruption of the peaceful ecosystem that's been built up around him, dashing away his hopes and reams for a happy future where everyone gets along." Arcturus said, back to his normal sarcastic self as he rose to his feet and dusted himself off.

"Ugh, you are hilarious, you know? Great old sage act pop, really had me going for a moment." Ascalon sassed right back at him, rolling is eyes as he stood up. Not bothering to pat the dirt off him he started to walk away, stopping when his father stopped him with a calming hand on his shoulder.

"Ascalon, I meant every word I said. You've been building and creating something amazing that most of the world would gladly destroy like a wildfire if they could. And they will continue to try to do that, never ceasing so long as you keep getting up and protecting that which you've made. They will beat you down, humiliate you, tear you apart, call you every cruel name possible for the rest of your life until your dream is a reality. So, you have two choices my wonderful child: either keep being the stubborn man you are until peace is real, or don't let George catch you next time you leap." Arcturus explained, turning his son around so as to make eye contact with him, feeling awful as the last word left his lips. It was a harsh truth, but one the child needed.

The hurt and shock that showed in his son's eyes was enough for him to know his point got through, and with that the tired father let go gently, walking past him and heading home. Moments later the slow steps following let him know that both would be home, maybe not exactly on time for dinner, but at least together. Most of the walk Arcturus spent on his own, occasionally looking back to make sure his boy was still with him, turning his eyes away whenever the glum teen caught his gaze. He knew his son would be alright within a day or two, but knew that he needed to show exactly what was possible, and what he could lose if he continued to be reckless and risk his life when it wasn't necessary. The reality check had been cruel, like the world. However, like Ascalon had said, if given the right amount of time, care, and gifts, the unforgiving place they lived in could change, just as everything else had. From it would come new life, and hopefully peace. By the time they reached the gates Ascalon had come alongside his father, nudging him playfully, and gave the old man a small smile.

"Are you gonna rat me out to mom?" He asked quietly, relieved when his dad laughed loudly at the question.

Pulling his tall son into a one-armed hug, Arcturus grinned and ruffled the teen's hair, chuckling and answering, "No, but you better tell me what Camilla was doing in your pants you rascal."

Well that only took me a century and a half. Sorry for the longer than normal wait everybody. I've been on and off sick, as has my fiancée, and work has been kicking my butt. Hope you enjoyed and I'll see you next time!