AN: Here is the next chapter. As always, please share this with other Armello fans.

Disclaimer: I do not own Armello

***Thirteen Years Ago***

The sounds of celebration were high in the victor's camp as one could hear cheers, songs, and the occasional whistling as a few drunken folks started dancing to music being played by the bards. There was much to celebrate as their group achieved a high-ranking victory in protecting an important trading town in the Summer Fields. One that was vital for nearly all the western clans to have for their trade routes. The Dragon Clan and those who allied with them sought to destroy it with their own forces, including a Bane, to weaken them. Thane had never fully advocated eliminating an entire clan before, but the Dragon Clan had changed all that. A group of lizards who not only worshiped the Rot but sought to spread it around. They claimed the Rot was balanced and that this was the means to restore true freedom to the animals of Armello who had become corrupted from the cursed Wyld that had denied them their true nature. He even met a few of them, all tough fighters, and had the scars to prove it.

It was bad enough that clans were fighting each other, warlords were raiding and looting, and King Tau had gone insane from what many believed to be the Rot. Now they had a cult that worshiped this insane disease that was killing their lands. The entire nation was falling apart, and Thane felt worthless to stop it. It was why he couldn't celebrate even when his friends and comrades were doing so. What was there to celebrate when everything you had ever known was at stake? It was unnatural for him to be so pessimistic, but the battle had opened his eyes, and everything he had been experiencing this past year was finally getting to him. He had left his home to prove himself worthy of the title of King, denied by the Alpha's of his clan because they believed he wasn't worthy of it yet. Now he was on a mission to save the world with others his clan looked down upon, but Thane would gladly sacrifice his life to protect them.

The Wolf Prince stood on a hill, his back against the large camp, while resting on a rock with a drink in hand yet untouched by his lips. He didn't know what to do, and yet he also knew what he had to do. The concept was so big that Thane felt something he didn't want to admit.

He was scared.

He was scared of what it would take to make this plan of his work. That was even if the others were willing to agree with it. Thane had the qualities of a leader, but so did the others in their party. They were all leaders in some way, but for some reason, they kept turning to him for the final decision. Was there some unannounced agreement that he was their leader in general? If so, he wanted to get that out in the open because he wasn't sure if he could do that. His own people didn't believe in him (Well, the top elites, at least), and his father never believed in him. Even River, his childhood friend, had dismissed him as unworthy of replacing his father. That had hurt more than anything.

"...Can I really do this?" Thane whispered to himself as he closed his eyes and felt like whimpering as if he was six years old again.

"You know that's going to be a waste of a drink if you don't have it." Thane's eyes snapped open as he turned around and saw a familiar vixen walking over towards him with a sly smirk and a wave of her red bushy tail. "I had to fight through six guards to get that barrel from Lord Pigmoth's stash. And let me tell you, that wasn't easy."

"Scarlett," Thane whispered but felt surprisingly relaxed in her presence. Of all the beings he would befriend in this world, he never thought one of them would be the infamous Bandit Queen herself.

Everyone had practically heard of her. The fox who slowly took over the major bandit clans in the center of the nation before establishing her own clan in defiance of the nobles and their system. A clan that robbed and pillaged from corrupted rich folk to give to themselves and to the ordinary people. They were deviant, ruthless, and always seemed to get away from their crimes, thanks to Scarlett. The fox's cunning had outmatched even the Royal Guards themselves as none could catch her, or any rumor of her being killed was quickly replaced with sights of her appearing elsewhere. Scarlett even spread rumors of her being dead more than once to get the nobles to lower their guard so she could make a grand "return from the dead" to scare them more.

Of course, most people knew the Bandit Clan for being openly defiant of the King. They were the first to see his madness when he started pushing out harsh laws and cruel actions that led many to lose their heads. They were the ones who sent letters to the Clans calling for revolts and revolutions to overthrow the mad king to establish a new person on the throne. And everyone knew that Scarlett wanted to be queen. She practically said the throne would be her's one day to everyone.

The Wolf Clan never had to deal with the Bandit Clan since they were so far up north, but what rumors they did hear had made Thane believe Scarlett was going to be some kind of evil witch of tremendous and terrible abilities. Yet, Mercutio, who had become their friend, insisted she was a good person and that they needed her help to save Thane's life from a bounty on his head. Needless to say, Scarlett gave quite an impression on them with teasing, sarcasm, and outright arrogance. Thane decided to see what she was like by asking her to spar with him to get to know her fighting style.

Scarlett somehow managed to unbuckle his armor in the fight, making him naked for everyone to see. She even complimented on the size of his "other sword" as he frantically tried to cover himself up. Thane thought he would hate Scarlett for that, but he got to see the real her over time. A gentle and kind fox who was determined to make the everyday person have a better life. The way the villagers looked at her, admired her, and saw her as a savior when she came to them with food, medicine, and money was eye-opening. Even though it was used to steal, a dishonorable tactic, the people she stole it from were not honorable at all.

Thane could remember their first time ever doing a "heist" together.

One of the dukes of the Bovine Clan had recently gotten a special shipment that he wanted to enjoy all by himself. Somehow, Scarlett talked him and his friends into helping her steal this shipment just for fun, and they did owe her at the time, so they agreed.

The shipment turned out to be little girls from a land to the far east that was there for his "taste" in women. Needless to say, Scarlett lost all sense and became a demoness of death as she tore through every guard and servant of the corrupted bastard and dug her saber deep into the pleading bull's heart. Thane was only sorry he didn't kill him first. It was the first time he saw her so vulnerable. Those girls were taken in and given as much help as possible. Most of them left to go home, but others stayed and were now part of the clan. The clan might not have been official, but it was a family that looked out for each other.

It was only after seeing tears in Scarlett's eyes that Thane realized he had been wrong about her all this time. He learned of her real story in private, and by the time it was over, he held one of the strongest warriors that Thane had ever met. That was when their friendship started, and both soon trusted each other's lives to the other. Scarlett didn't officially join their group at first since she had her own clan to look after, and her efforts to rebel against the king were getting serious, but it was becoming clear that both their goals were aligned, and now they were allies permanently.

Thane's thoughts were interrupted when Scarlett sat on the large rock next to him and smiled. "You would think the hero of the battle would be out there celebrating with everyone."

"I'm not a hero," Thane whispered, something he would never have said long ago. Back when he was arrogant and believed nothing could stop him. Countless near-death experiences and failures have changed that.

"You took down a Bane. I think that makes you a hero in my book," Scarlett pointed out.

"Not quick enough," Thane growled as he tossed the drink aside. "Six homes, five families, and eighteen dead. Six of them were children. That was what I saw when I finally realized that they had a Bane. I should have seen it coming."

Scarlett frowned and put a hand on his shoulder. "We didn't know the Dragon Clan could summon a Bane. Hell, I didn't even think the notion was possible. Don't blame yourself for something you couldn't have prevented."

"It's not just that!" Thane shouted as he stood up and looked up at the moon in frustration. "This shouldn't be happening in the first place! Every land is like this, yet we're the only ones doing anything serious about it! Everyone else is playing politics while our king is losing his mind! You saw what he did to the village before this, right? Everyone put to the sword, and their lands were raided! Instead, he should be defending the people from the Banes! And all the clans are so focused on their own goals they don't trust each other to help!"

"Isn't it the Wolf Clan's policy to care for their own problems?" Scarlett asked, eyebrow raised.

"Yes, but it's a stupid policy!" Thane growled as he turned to Scarlett. "The Wolf Clan has always believed it was better than every other clan and needed nobody but themselves, but that's wrong. I've fought alongside all of you, seen your homes and lands, and I can see that none of you are weak."

Growling, Thane looked down. "No, what has made us all weak is that we're not united. None of these problems our home suffers from will disappear unless we do something. And…I know what we need to do."

"What's that?" Scarlett asked, getting up as well.

"We have to unite all the clans into one alliance. Fight back against the Rot, eliminate the Dragon Clan, and take down the King," Thane said, which made Scarlett's eyes widen. "Not just Wolves, Rabbits, Rats, and Bears, but Dogs, Cats, Pigs, Frogs, Squirrels, Otters, Bovines, and more. Including the Bandit Clan."

"Us?" Scarlett asked in surprise.

"Scarlett, you did something nobody else has ever done. You created a clan that is not based on race but on skill and background," Thane said as he looked over at the clan. "Everyone there looks up to you because you don't judge them for where they are born or what they were born as but what they can do to help the clan. You made them into a family. A worthy one. You're…amazing."

She was blushing, but it was hard not to after hearing something like that. Thane sighed and said, "Which is why I think you should be our real leader. No, you should be the Queen."

"W-What?!" Scarlett shouted in surprise. "You never agreed with me on that!"

"Because I didn't think it would be possible, especially since most of the nobility would never see to it," Thane answered honestly, making Scarlett wince, but he held her paws. "But I don't think that matters anymore. You created an army, even if it's not a full one, of loyal soldiers united to your cause. You care about the common person, not just the rich like the nobles do, and I'm ashamed to admit it, but I never realized how hard it was for all of you in these dark times until we got to know you and your group. If anyone deserves to be Queen-"

"Wyld, you are so dense," Scarlett huffed as she rolled her eyes, much to his confusion. She then poked him in the chest and glared at him. "You are a big dumb wolf, you know that?"

"What are you-"

"Thane, we've all been following you," Scarlett said, much to his surprise. "Do you really think that I'm the one in charge here? Ever since you and your friends return to us, you've been the one leading us. You planned the battle strategy, you've been commanding us, and you've been listening to our advice and following it. You're the one who risks his life every time to ensure that we come back alive and those innocent people are saved. Did you know they call you the Noble Winter Wolf in the villages? That people pray to the Wyld that you will be there to protect them with your "Company of Heroes" in the darkest of times? Thane, there is only one person worthy of being the ruler of Armello, and that is not me."

And then, for the first time he had seen her, Thane saw Scarlett bow before him on one knee and lower her head in submission. "That is you. You are the most worthy of being King."

"...Me?" Thane whispered in shock.

"I, Scarlett of the Bandit Clan, hereby pledge my loyalty and forces to Prince Thane of the Wolf Clan. From here until my final breath, my life is yours," Scarlett said before getting up and grinning. "You should feel honored to have me lower myself that low for you. Because it's not happening again."

Thane felt his heart leap nearly out of his chest as he looked at Scarlett and saw that she was serious. She had to be to make a vow like that. If there was one thing Scarlett did, it was never to break any vow she swore. She always held up her end of the deal. Thane gulped and looked down at those who were still partying. "Me? Leader? King? I…I…"

Scarlett then placed a finger on his lips, which she often did to get him to shut up, and smiled. "Trust me when I say this. Everyone down there, including Amber, Sana, and Mercutio, would fight for you."

"I don't know if I can do this," Thane whispered as he closed his eyes. "My own clan doesn't believe in me."

"Then we'll make them," Scarlett whispered as she held his paws and looked into his eyes with gentleness. "Together."

Thane stared at her as the moon reflected off her fiery-furred face. He didn't know what would cause him to do this following action, but he soon brought her close and kissed her right on the lips. Scarlett didn't flinch and embraced him as they soon lay on the grass and began to strip.

It was the first time they mated.

And the first time they realized they had fallen in love with each other.

***Present***

The moment he had read the letter King Thane quickly called Queen Amber, Sir Horace, and Mercutio, his spymaster, to his private study to discuss what had just happened. He hated leaving his kids so soon after promising to spend some time with him, but this was too important. He and the rest of them looked at the letter from the Bandit Queen on his desk in silence as everyone tried to find the words of what to say, but nothing came out.

Twelve years of silence, and only now had Scarlett contacted them. Any of them in general. But this was the first time they had actual communication with her. Rumors and tales could only tell them so much, but Scarlett had never sent anything to them. Even Sir Horace, once a part of the Bandit Clan, had never heard from his old leader and friend since the day she parted.

For Thane, it was nerve wracking. How many years did he wonder about her location and if she was safe? How often did he worry that she was dead or lost in some tomb exploring for treasures? How many nights did he wonder if she just left for another nation and would never return?

Thane never denied his desire to see Scarlett again, but only so he could ask the question of why?

Why did you leave?

Sighing, Thane held the letter out, and everyone looked at it closely. "It's her handwriting."

"Yes," Sir Horace said with a nod. "I know those curves with her letters from anywhere."

"Do you think what she's saying is true?" Amber asked as she bit her lip. "It's been ten years since the last Rot infestation. Most of the Dragon Clan is all but wiped out. And there hasn't been a Bane sighted since the battle with the old King."

"The Rot can never be completely destroyed," Thane reminded her with a sigh. "It's an entity that we cannot fully defeat. Just like the Wyld will always exist, so will the Rot."

"There has been some unusual activity in Winterblossom Woods and its surrounding areas. Most of the villages there have been reported as being abandoned. No sign of struggles or raiding," Mercutio stated as he put the letter down. "Most of the time, when the Rot is active, it corrupts the land and its people. Devastation pretty much is the sister word for it."

"But Scarlett wouldn't lie about this," Thane said, folding his arms. "She might joke once in and while, but even she knows how serious the Rot is. And she contacts us now after all this time?"

"She contacted you," Amber whispered before she went deadpan and looked at the three of them in the room. "Also, do I look bad in yellow when I have a baby?"

"No/Yes," Horace and Mercutio both said simultaneously, making the former glare at the grinning latter.

"You look lovely no matter what you dress in," Thane assured her with a smirk before frowning. "Still, she must have been watching us at some point. Most likely when we tour the country for the people."

"And if my spies haven't caught her, that means she's still got it," The Rat Spymaster said with a chuckle. "She was always good at making herself unseen."

"Which is why I think this is a serious issue," Thane said, getting up and putting his paws on his desk. "Scarlett has always done everything she could to hide from us. To let herself be exposed like this speaks volumes of the seriousness of the issue. If there is another Rot infestation, we cannot let it grow. Especially if there are Banes."

"Shall we prepare a brigade from the army?" Sir Horace asked, standing alert.

"No, nothing that big. This threat might still be in its early stages. Plus, I don't want rumors to fly and start a panic," Thane said as he shook his head. "We'll take a battalion instead. A thousand troops should be enough. Make sure we have battle mages and clerics with us, Sir Horace."

"Yes, your Majesty," Sir Horace stated before leaving to prepare the troops.

"Mercutio," Amber then stated as she turned to him. "I want you to spread tales about how we're going to investigate a possible outpost of the Dragon Clan that was left over before their demise, and we're just sending ourselves there to ensure that there are no traps or surprises in store."

"It will be in the bars this evening," Mercutio vowed with a bow before heading out.

Thane waited until he was alone with his wife before raising an eyebrow. "We?"

"Oh, come on!" Amber pouted as her ears went down, and she gave her best pleading expression. "I haven't been on an adventure in years! Please let me go this time."

"You're five months into your pregnancy. I'm not risking it," Thane said as he walked around his desk and embraced his wife. "Someone also needs to be here for the children. We both promised that should one of us need to leave, the other would stay with them until we're all together again."

Amber chuckled before stroking her husband's arm. "You sure you don't want to visit your old flame without me looking over your shoulder?" The dark frown on Thane's expression quickly made her realize she had gone too far with her teasing. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. I was just-"

"Do you really think I would cheat on you? For her?" Thane asked with a stoic expression, but there was a hint of shock and pain deep in his throat.

"Thane, no! It's not like that," Amber said as she quickly hugged him. "I'm sorry. I know you wouldn't. It's not in your nature, especially since you love the family we have. But…you cannot deny that you still love her."

"Amber…" Thane bit his lip and closed his eyes. "I love you."

"And yet I wasn't your first," Amber reminded him as she looked into his eyes. "Thane, you and Scarlett loved each other long before you became king. Everyone could see it. I wanted her to be your queen because I felt you deserved to be happy for all the shit you had to endure to get here. I never felt jealous of her because I didn't love you that way…not until we married and time passed."

"I know," Thane said, taking her left paw and kissing it. "I never thought I'd fall in love with one of my best friends. The same tomb-raiding rabbit who nearly got us killed on our first adventure together."

"It was shiny. I couldn't help it," Amber giggled before nuzzling her husband's nose. "I love you, Thane of the Wolf Clan, but I'm not blind to the feelings you still have for her. Any other woman would just be jealous and spiteful, but I understand. I do. You need to see her to get answers, and I'm not going to stop you because I'm not afraid of you breaking your vows to me. I trust you."

"...I promise I'll come home," Thane whispered, taking her into his embrace and kissing her deeply. If only to help remind him who it was that won his heart over time while the other faded away, even if not entirely. "You are my wife, Amber of the Rabbit Clan. The mother of my children. Whatever happens to Scarlett and me, nothing will come between us. Because there is one difference between you and her that I have always kept in mind regarding matters of the heart."

"What's that?" Amber asked.

"You stayed with me," Thane whispered as he pressed his forehead against hers. "She left."

***Two Days Later***

The regiment that Sir Horace had prepared was ready to march. Unlike the last Royal Army, Thane and Amber both agreed that having multiple numbers of races in the army was the best thing to show unity and help prove that the nation was for everyone. While Sir Horace checked with each commander to ensure final preparations were set, Thane was saying goodbye to his children.

He still wore his Crown of Armello on his head, and his unique golden armor set known as the Wolfheart Breastplate. It was once the king's Lionheart Breastplate until his defeat, in which it was changed to symbolize the wolf ancestry that Thane was a part of. His silver and white cloak held the symbols of his clan and the nation. In his sheath was his royal sword, Thunder Wolf, forged by melting the old king's sword into a new blade fit for a king. In honor of his wife, he made it into the unique sword design for which the rabbits were famous. The steel was dark gray with white glowing lighting marks appearing from the wolf's head pommel that streaked across the blade itself. The white handle was made of ebony and a second wolf's head was on the pommel. As for the name, it was done in honor of his father, King Thunder.

Looking at his oldest son, who was doing his best to look brave, Thane held him by the shoulders and knelt down before smiling. "Snow? You look after your siblings for me. Be brave and follow your lessons. Understood?"

"I will, Pa-I mean-Father," Snow said, smiling.

Turning to his daughter, who was nervous and doing her best to not cry, he played with her ears a bit before kissing Riverfoot on her forehead. "How about we have a tea party when I come home? Sounds good, Sweetie?"

This made Riverfoot giggle, and she nodded. "Can we have extra cookies?"

"As many as you want," Thane whispered as he hugged her tightly. Before turning to his wife, who was holding their youngest. Eddard had been quiet upon learning his father was leaving for a while. He practically refused to go anywhere without him nearby. Thane knew his son talked very little, but he was very expressive in his emotions.

However, before he could say anything, Eddard spoke. "Don't go."

This made everyone pause and stare at the usual shy gray wolf who was starting to whimper, and tears dripped from his eyes. "Don't go! Daddy! Don't go!"

Thane took his youngest into his arms and hugged him tightly. His son began to sob, and Thane also felt a few tears drip from his eyes. For a brief moment, he wanted to stay with his children and wife. He didn't want to leave them for a moment longer, but duty required him to do so. Such was the curse of being a King.

"Shh," Thane whispered as he rocked his son in his arms while keeping him close to his chest. Kissing his forehead, Thane whispered, "Ned, it's okay. I'm going to come home. I promise."

"Pwomise?" Ned whispered, looking up at him with wide, teary eyes.

"I will. I always keep a promise," Thane whispered as he nuzzled his son. "Do you know why you are named Eddard?"

"No?"

"Because Prince Eddard was known to be the bravest and gentlest prince in the Wolf Clan's history," Thane answered with a smile. "He was said to be so brave that he went up against a fiery breathing dragon and slew it to save his people. And when I look at you, I see a brave little pup with the same spirit as he did."

"Weally?" Ned asked, sniffing.

"Yes, and I need you to be brave for me," Thane whispered as he poked his son on the nose, which made him giggle. "Can you?"

"Okay, Daddy," Ned whispered with a slight nod. "I wove you."

"I love you too," Thane said as he gave him back to his wife and kissed her on the lips. "I love you all."

"Be safe and come home, Thane," Amber whispered as she wiped a tear from her eyes. "Come back to us."

"Always," Thane answered as he turned around and took a deep breath before walking to Sir Horace, where his horse stood ready. Mounting it, he looked one last time at his family, who waved at him before he waved back. He then turned to the troops and signaled them to leave.

It was time to see an old flame.