A Song of Fire, Ice and Hearts

by Jebest4781

Venturing outside of the Heart of his Somebody, a Nobody enters a World where it's at the brink of self destruction. Will he be able to handle and survive the Game of Thrones. Rated M for language, violence, etc. Pairings hidden at current time. KHXGoT/ASoIaF CoWritten by free man writer. Cover Image by Carlos M. Please leave reviews.

36. Drastic Changes

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Disney, Square-Enix, Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire or anything else. They rightfully belong to their respective owners.

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

Writing/Singing

"Foreign Language/Flashback"

-Scene Shift-

Chapter 36: Drastic Changes

The entire castle keep was thrown into chaos when the self-proclaimed King Joffrey gave the order to the Lannister men and City Watch to purge all Stark and Martell guards and household staff. There may have been some hesitation at first, but the darkness clouded their minds to obey his direct command to kill all of the "traitors" and those who side with them.

A man pushed through a set of doors, staggered in pain as the fight broke out, but was unable to see a Knight Heartless jumping from the shadows and slashing its sword into his back, killing the unfortunate victim in the process.

This was another unfortunate circumstance. Not only did the Northerners and Dornish have to contend with both the Lannister men and traitorous City Watch members, but also both the Heartless and Unversed. No one had ever imagined this to ever happen, but things have clearly changed for the worst.

Yet both the Starks and Martells received unexpected help from the Samurai Nobodies who appeared out of nowhere and aided them, surprising some of the Lannister soldiers but fought on. Clashing their swords against the Samurai yet some were struck by their twin katanas and inhuman speed and agility.

The Northerners and Dornish were fortunate to have them on their side when their lord and prince -respectively- told them about the Samurai being loyal to Roxas some days ago out of some form of insurance.

Rightfully so, more now than ever for both parties would need all the help they can get to fight these monsters.

The Samurai were indeed more skillful swordsmen, and formidable foes in combat many of the Lannister guards noted and the last thing to see was a gray-blue before their deaths.

But while cutting down soldiers is one thing, the Heartless and Unversed have the advantage with a dozen to take their place. Nobodies by their own existence are a league above most Heartless and Unversed but in the end, numbers always hold a distinct advantage.

In the midst of all this pandemonium, one Stark girl remained blissfully unaware as to what was transpiring in her House. Arya was in the training area of the Tower of the Hand with Syrio teaching her one last dancing lesson before her trip back to the North.

"High," Syrio Forel called out, slashing at her head. The wooden swords clacked as Arya parried. "Left," he shouted, and his blade came whistling. Hers darted to meet it. The clack made him click his teeth together. "Right, low, left, left…"

The movements were becoming faster and faster as the training space was filled with the wooden swords clacking again and again.

"Lunge," he warned, and when the thrust she sidestepped, swept his blade away and slashed at his shoulder. She almost touched him, which made her grin. A strand of hair dangled in her eyes, limp with sweat. She brushed it away with the back of her hand as she avoided the upcoming swing by performing a dodge roll.

"Good, very good." Said the Braavosi. "Right low, lunge right."

Arya followed his words carefully and let him make the next move to block each strike and moved backward. He was clearly impressed by how she has improved in her swordplay and learning fast.

Outside near the stables, several servants were being led by the Stark's steward -Vayon Poole- to load the Starks' belongings into a carriage for their departure. They would take them all to the shipyard where their ship would depart later for the North.

"If you break anything, the Septa will have my head." Spoke Vayon Poole.

Yet he had no idea his fate would come much sooner when a number of Lannister men came charging towards the Steward and the others.

"What is-"

He never had the chance to ask what was happening until a Lannister soldier runs Poole through the chest with a spear, killing him. The soldiers then proceed to kill the rest with the emergence of the Heartless, slaughtering them all with no hint of mercy. They were taken by surprise of the sudden emergence of the Samurai Nobodies to appear and clashed swords with their own.

Back in the Red Keep, Sansa was walking down a hallway with the Septa to visit Myrcella to give her farewells, oblivious to what is happening. Septa Mordane pondered how Arya could still be practicing when they should be preparing to leave the capital.

"Your sister knew perfectly well we were to leave today. How she could forget-"

"She didn't forget." Sansa interjected with an exasperated sigh at both Mordane and her sister. "She's with her dancing master; she's with him every morning. She always comes back with scrapes and bruises. She's so clumsy."

Sansa would sometimes worry for her little sister whenever she comes back with bruises. She eventually grew to accept the fact that Arya appears to be getting better with her skills, obviously inspired by her beloved and wanting to be like him and Cloud Strife. Sometimes she just wishes Arya would go easy on her lessons and hopes she doesn't intend to join Roxas on his missions.

They may argue and bicker often but she was still her little sister. The last thing she would ever want to see is her sister get hurt or worse.

"Hush!" Mordane stopped her, grabbing her arm when she heard a commotion nearby, alarmed when she knew from her years of experience to know what it was and feared for Sansa's safety. "Go to the princess. Bar the doors and do not open them for anyone you do not know."

The redhead was not sure what was happening, but listening to the tone of the Septa's voice meant something terrible was happening. She dreaded to think if Vanitas made his return to capture Myrcella.

"What is it? What's happening?"

"Do as I told you." Mordane told her for her safety. "Run!"

In reluctance, she does so and clutches her dress to run for the princess' room, leaving the Septa to her fate and wishing she could have come. And Sansa was not aware that a group of Lannister soldiers, shrouded in darkness, came around the corner moments later after her departure.

The Septa noticed their bloodied swords, and the aura around them almost like the cursed Heartless creatures and approached her slowly. A look of shock and fear on her face as they cornered her. Yet she would only hope to give the young Lady Stark the necessary time needed for safety.

Back in the Tower, Nymeria the Direwolf watched on in seeing her human companion trying to get the upper hand against her water dancing teacher throughout this spar. Him calling out directions of his attack in order for Arya to avoid or intercept them.

And yet it wasn't enough when Syrio Forel called out "left" and yet struck right at her upper breast.

"Ow!" She cried out. She backed away and rubbed her sore spot as it may perhaps form a bruise on the trip back to Winterfell. 'A bruise is a lesson,' she thought to herself, 'and each lesson makes me better to learn from my mistakes.'

"You are dead now." Said her teacher.

Arya made a face. "You cheated," she said hotly. "You said left and you went right."

Syrio gave her a pointed look. "That I did. And you're dead because of it."

"But you lied!" The little She-Wolf whined.

Her instructor simply tutted her, wagging his finger at her before pointing directly at one of his eyes.

"My tongue lied. My eyes shouted out the truth, but you were not seeing." Forel elaborated. "You must learn to discern these two distinctions."

Irritated by the fact she thought it did not make any sense and thought he still lied.

"I was so," said Arya, "I watched you every second-"

"Watching is not seeing, dead girl." Her teacher came up to her with a small smile. Despite her learning much, Arya hasn't fully understood the lessons she partook in. "The seeing, the true seeing, that is the heart of swordplay. Didn't Cloud and Roxas tell you this?"

"...Maybe. I must've forgotten." She said an excuse, hoping to save face.

Syrio gave out a chuckle. "Of course." He then asked her a question. "Tell me, what did you think of Cait Sith when you first laid your eyes on him?"

Arya paused in thought as she recalled her first encounter with the bizarre creature that she mistook for a Cat… well he was a cat but no cat she had ever seen.

"He was… strange. I have never seen one like him before in my life."

Syrio soon nudged his head over to the only animal in the room. "Like your direwolf over yonder? Or even those Chocobos?"

"Yes. But I never knew animals could talk like he does." She rebuked, going over to her Direwolf and kneeling down to scratch her behind the ears. "I thought I was dreaming or something else when we began talking."

"Indeed. Cait Sith is no ordinary cat in more ways than one."

"I can get the part of him talking… and walking upright on two legs, but-"

"His appearance and structure made me think otherwise. He's an unusual creature and rightfully so." Syrio finished for her, watching his student nod.

"So you… basically saw what was there?"

"Just so." Her instructor continued into another detail. "Sometimes the best fighters often give away their attacks. Not by just body language but with how one's looking."

"I don't understand."

"Tell me, Arya, what do bowmen often need to use more often than naught to get their targets?"

"...Their eyes?" She said questioningly.

"Yes. They need to roughly know the range of their target and often make up the sums in their head on how far to shoot and at certain angles. And yet, if it's clouded or perhaps out of view…"

"Then… they'd either miss or guess?"

Syrio frowned thoughtfully, bobbing his head side to side.

"In a manner, perhaps. Even fighters often tell where their opponent intends to strike next by noticing the subtle movements of their eyes. Seeing the intended direction of the attack, making oneself try to intercept, counter or avoid them. And yet there are those who blindly go on with their assault, making things unpredictable at some point."

Arya pondered on this for a moment in order to get a better understanding.

"And there's the factor of what Cloud instructed you, if I recall; needing to ignore what your opponent may say. They rile you up, clouding your thoughts to distract you and leave you open like what I did not long ago."

The Stark girl nodded as that was clearly obvious in the lesson at hand.

"Opening your eyes is all what is needed. The heart lies and the head plays tricks with us, but the eyes see the truth once you grasp the bigger perspective. Look with your eyes and analyze everything possible. Hear with your ears. Taste with your mouth. Smell with your nose. Feel with your skin. Then comes the thinking as you'll analyze everything possible. Only then will you know the truth."

"And yet I can't always rely on my senses. They can even lie to me if I don't understand everything."

Syrio held an approving grin in place. "Just so."

The door into the training room was abruptly opened, having several people walked into the space. There were six Lannister guards with Ser Meryn Trant of the Kingsguard leading them.

"Arya Stark," said the kingsguard member. "Your father wants to see you."

Arya gave out a quizzical look, wondering what was going on.

Her father wouldn't send out anyone outside of his House's men to fetch her, aside from Cloud and Roxas. That isn't like him at all. And then there was the factor of her hearing Nymeria growl rather fiercely, making her be put on edge. She trusted her dear companion dearly and she always protected her as well, making the Stark girl trust her judgment.

Instead of stepping forward, Arya narrowed her eyes at Ser Meryn. "Liar. My father wouldn't send either of you."

"Just so." Said Syrio Forel. "I'm wondering why this odd change of mannerisms…"

"Mind your place, dancing master. This is none of your concern."

"It is if it concerns the safety of my student."

"And I don't have to go with you if I don't want to." Arya added to her instructor's words.

It was then did Arya hear the faint sounds of battle in the air. Metal clashing with people screaming.

Something wasn't right at all.

Ser Meryn Trant ran out of patience. "Take the girl." He ordered the Lannister guards before spotting the snarling direwolf. "And kill the beast."

"Are you men or snakes,'' began the Braavosi, "that you would threaten a child and her companion?"

"Get out of the way, little man." Spoke the Lannister guard.

Hearing this, the dance master squared his shoulders and held his blade forward at a downward angle. There was a glint in his eyes that promised nothing but pain.

"I am Syrio Forel…"

"Foreign bastard-"

Her instructor's wooden sword was swift as lightning as he clashed the weapon against the Lannister and knocked him hard to the ground. "And you will be speaking to me with more respect." Syrio said to them all.

Fear suddenly shot up in Arya's body when she saw the offending party move. 'Fear cuts deeper than swords, Arya told herself to slow her racing heart.

As if awaiting a signal, Nymeria acted and shot out to the closest Lannister guard. Her teeth and claws were long and sharp as they quickly took down the screaming man as he soon lay dying. Another man went to kill the beast, yet Arya was quick on her toes and threw the wooden sword at the Lannister man.

When the training weapon hit, the man turned back to attack the offender. Yet he momentarily froze in surprise as Arya summoned Needle in her hand and with a quick slash, she ended up cutting the man's throat with blood running out of the wound.

Arya froze in shock at what just happened. For she just killed a man for the first time.

Her present action soon cost her as she felt a tight grip on her sword arm. She snapped out of her shock and tried to pry off her limb from the one Lannister guard.

"Hey! Let me go!"

Seeing her human companion in danger, Nymeria tackled the Lannister from the side and bit down hard onto the man's arm. He screamed and was forced to let go of Arya. Climbing back onto her feet, the Stark girl practically forgot everything Syrio taught her. The only thing she could remember was what Jon said to her before their goodbye…

Stick them with the pointy end.

Arya acted on this and stabbed the Lannister with Needle right into his throat, soon letting him choke on his own blood.

As this happened, Syrio was fending off his attackers with his wooden sword. He somewhat wished he had a bladed weapon on hand instead of the training one, yet he'd have to make do with what he's got. He wasn't the First Sword of Braavos for nothing, after all.

The Water Dancer was like a small whirlwind, clashing his training sword at his opponents' helmets to disorient them before swiftly moving behind them to either grapple or toss them onto the ground and knocking them out.

With the last of his enemies down for the count, all that remained was the one member of the Kingsguard.

"You're quick for a dancing master." Meryn sneered derisively.

"And you're too slow for a knight." Forel taunted with a bored drawl.

Ser Meryn snarled at this before gazing at the wounded or killed guards in the room. 'Seems I'll have to kill the Braavosi and beast myself.' He thought to himself, withdrawing his sword from his scabbard.

Syrio stared at the man and was more or less able to take him on. Yet he began to notice something peculiarly off about him.

It may have been the light shining through the room, but he noticed a peculiar purplish-dark aura beginning to radiate off of him. And some shadows in the room started to darken further.

Syrio's eyes widened a moment later, realizing something more was at play here.

"Begone now, Arya." He curtly said, eyes staying firmly on the Kingsguard.

Arya was a mixture of stubbornness and worrisome when hearing this from her teacher. Several things whirled in her mind, yet one thing was more prevalent than the rest.

"Come with me." She pleaded for his safety. "Run."

"The First Sword of Braavos does not run." Syrio reminded her, not breaking his eye contact with the attackers. "Especially when needing to protect the innocent."

At this moment did Arya notice a shift in the room, making her really scared as Nymeria started to growl once more. Her Direwolf had back right into her and was looking about in all directions.

She looked towards the Kingsguard member, a dreaded feeling in her stomach when she saw the darkened aura appear around him.

Knowing this will be his end, the Braavosi gave Arya one final lesson and reminder. "What do we say to the God of Death?"

"...Not today." Came her response, fighting back her tears in the belief this would be the last time they see each other.

"Now go." He commanded her, never breaking his defiant eye contact with Meryn Trant.

"...Fight well."

Without a moment wasted, and with great reluctance, Arya made her escape with Nymeria running after her. She never sees Syrio clashing with Meryn Trant, only hearing their battle as she flees.

Arya ran down a nearby hallway and swiftly descended the stairs. She sees the silhouettes of other people fighting from other rooms before she came near the bottom of the tower.

"Arya!" She spotted Cait Sith coming out of the shadows, surprised but relieved to see him. "There is great danger! Heartless and Unversed everywhere! You must leave."

Much to her shock to find out that both the Heartless and Unversed have started attacking, but unable to find her sister or father or any other ally in this chaos. Sounds of fighting spread across the hallways, deciding to trust her feline companion and follow him with Nymeria by her side. And the grip on her bloodied Needle became strained with the amount of pressure she was putting into it.

All she could mutter the entire time was "Not today… Not today…"

Whilst one Stark girl was attempting to escape the castle, another was headed straight for the room of Princess Myrcella.

Sansa was feeling rightfully terrible for leaving Mordane behind but chose to do so as she was told in order to survive and run for safety. And Sansa hoped to find her little sister along the way to Myrcella's chambers so they could hide together. She just wishes now, more than ever before, for Roxas to be here to save them.

Of course, she also wished to have her trusted direwolf companion with her, due to her feeling very unsafe traversing these halls all by herself with what was presently happening.

Running as fast as she could and close to Myrcella's room, Sansa stopped when she spotted two strange silvery-white creatures wielding swords stepping forward, they were not like the Heartless and Unversed but not certain if they were friendly or foe.

"S-Stay back." The Stark girl stammered, not taking her eyes off them but did nothing. "Don't come near me."

One of them stepped aside and from the corner was her pet direwolf -Lady- who was relieved to see her.

"Lady!" She couldn't be happier to find her wolf safe, knelt down and ruffled her fur. Sensing them to appear non hostile and yet familiar as she looked at them. "Y-You found her?"

They did not speak, only nodded and made a path with one of them gesturing for her to follow. Sansa did not know why but trusted them. As she passed them by, an unusual sensation came over her, sparing a glance at one of them.

It didn't regard her glance whatsoever, appearing focused on its task at hand of keeping her safe.

'Odd…' Was her thought. She felt they were connected to Roxas in a strange sense. The air around them, while not exact, was fairly reminiscent of the one he possessed.

Suddenly Lady stopped and growled, sensing danger when one of them vanished in a blur with a mere moment, feeling the gust of wind until she realized that behind her was a Soldier Heartless that attempted to catch her by surprise, only to be sliced in the air by one of the silver swordsmen from head to toe. Vaporized into a black mist with a heart ascending upwards, she realized they saved her life. Which gives her more reasons to trust them. Not wasting time thanking them until she reached the safety of Myrcella's room in hopes she was safe.

Yet as this went on, she soon began to worry for her sister, her father, her handmaiden Jeyne and everyone else in her Household. She silently prayed to all of the gods out there to watch over them until further notice.

Meanwhile…

Myrcella could hear the fighting from the nearby window of her chambers and tried to leave it when the guards -ordered by Slynt- to keep her in her room as ordered by the king earlier today. Fits of confusion clouded her mind, making her not understand what they were talking about.

All she did know -that by right- Joffrey was now king and apparently didn't want her to leave her quarters. For some reason, she has this dreaded feeling something was wrong, and worried for Sansa and her family.

The princess could barely do anything to find some way out when suddenly heard voices outside her door as the Lannister guards spoke out to someone.

"Halt! You are to come with-!"

"By order of the king, you are to-AH!"

Swords were drawn and clashed against each other, hearing the sound of the guards groaning in pain and falling to the ground which proved they were beaten by whoever was outside. The door was opened and standing before her was one of those silvery-white clad creatures she spotted earlier, something that she remembered from Roxas saying they were friendly. It said nothing and stepped aside to see Sansa behind it.

"Sansa!" Myrcella exclaimed, rushing right towards the red-haired girl.

She was relieved to see her unharmed and also with her wolf, the two ran into each other's arms in a loving embrace. Sansa gave the Princess a soft kiss on the cheek and turned to the Nobodies that saved her, giving a nod of a 'thank you' before they took over the guards' post.

"What's happening?" Myrcella asked, beyond worried by this point due to the rather frantic look Sansa held.

"Something terrible has happened, I do not know what but the soldiers started to attack. We have to keep the door and windows shut." Remembering what Mordane told her and grab whatever they can use to barricade.

Not certain what she was talking about but agreed and followed to grab the table. "I just saw the Heartless and Unversed outside, is that what's happening?"

"No… they were fighting alongside the Lannister soldiers and City Watch." Sansa answered, pushing the table to the door. Myrcella didn't understand and looked at her secret paramour in clear confusion and fear.

Sansa could only shoot her an apologetic look. "I do not know either, I'm as confused as you are."

All the two young women could do now was secure the room and pray everything would eventually be alright from what madness occurred at this moment.

Back with Arya, she followed the cat with the flaming torch in her hand, she momentarily stopped to hear the sound of varying screams before their respective silence. She could already imagine one of them being Syrio, who she wished could've come with.

Nymeria sensed her companion's whirling emotions, making her rub her head against her available hand to hopefully ease some of her worries.

"There was nothing you could have done." Said Cait Sith, perhaps knowing what was running through her mind at this moment.

Arya shook her head, tears cascading down her cheeks. "I should have stayed and fight-"

"Were you prepared to fight them?" The cat asked her. "Humans are one thing, but the Heartless and Unversed?"

She wanted to argue with him but deep down knew he was right when she wasn't strong enough to face them; not yet. More screams echoed the hallways from above, they were getting closer and had to make their escape to find her father and sister.

"This way! Down the stairs!" He directed her to the stairs as an alternative escape route for them to take.

The castle gates were most certainly closed. No one would be permitted to leave all that easily. Thus they needed to find a way to depart from the Red Keep.

Remembering the words Syrio told her and said once more to herself. "Not today." Running down the stairs with Cait Sith and Nymeria beside her. "Not today!"

The waking nightmare seemed to last forever. Despite varying screams and cries eventually coming to an end, the silence made things ever dreadful.

The castle seemed devoid of anything Arya would have considered to be friendly. Any remnants of such a thing were barred inside for whatever safety people could manage from the darkened threat. Opposition prowled through the keep in the shadows and broad daylight to snuff out any possible hope there was left.

The trio soon came across the stables, making the two sentient beings of the group figure out the next course of the escape. Nymeria somewhat wandered off to see if there were any enemies in sight, to eventually give out a warning to her human companion and the talking animal.

At that point, they saw a number of the Stark Household staff, lying dead around or on the wagon stationed some feet away; killed by the Lannisters no doubt.

"Not a pretty sight." The crown-wearing cat murmured and pitied the dead.

The young Stark girl said nothing, only noticing a crate that was toppled over with a number of her belongings strewn upon the ground. She recognized silks, satins and velvets which she never wore; especially ones her mother embroidered for her.

Seeing some of them saddened her.

She never liked how her mother kept trying to make her more lady-like -in a Southerner's perspective- which was never her to begin with. Despite all that, among other faults, she still loves her. And right now, she misses her greatly alongside her other family members.

A moment passed when she finally went through it and dug through the contents. She needed something to perhaps cover herself with and make things harder to be noticeable by others when leaving the Red Keep and getting into the city beyond the walls.

Not just that, but she didn't want to leave a few precious items behind.

"Where is it? Where is it?" She whispered in desperation.

"Where's what?"

Arya didn't glance over to see Cait Sith's questioning look.

"My nameday present from Roxas."

"Being what?"

"A wooden… sword." She said, not stating it was a wooden Keyblade in order to clear up some confusion.

"A wooden sword?" He said aloud before exhaling a sigh. "At least tell me this. Are you at least sure it's in there or somewhere else? Not to mention is it actually worth finding at this dire time?"

This got the Stark girl to halt.

Thinking about it now, he made a good point. Was trying to find her gift worth wasting time for? It's too big to bring around while sneaking out of the castle Keep. Having it around may give her away.

Thus she'll have to make the sacrifice in leaving her nameday gift behind.

If anything, once all this was over and she was in safer lands, she could ask Roxas to make another one for her.

"There she is."

The two looked to see a stableboy who spotted her. In his hand was a pitchfork.

"What do you want?" Arya didn't have time for this when they were in trouble.

"Want you, wolf girl." The Stableboy made his intentions clear to her. "Come here."

"Leave me be. My father's a lord. He'll reward you." She proclaimed in hopes of persuading him.

"He'll reward me, the king!" He didn't buy it and marched towards her to grab her arm. "Come her-"

"Not so fast!" Cait Sith pounced on him, startling the boy when he heard him speak.

"Demon cat!" Shrieked out the stable boy.

"That's Cait Sith to you, bub!" Sith corrected him.

The stableboy was about to get up to get rid of the strange cat when suddenly he saw the large direwolf come to their help, snarling at him with her teeth bare in order to protect Arya.

"Nymeria!"

Upon letting loose a few barks, the stableboy yelped and took off in utter fright. Yet in his confusion, he ran headfirst into a beam and knocked himself out.

With the stableboy taken care of, the group had to leave.

Slipping on a dark gray cloak, Arya gathered herself and left with her two animal companions.

Unbeknownst to the trio, they were overseen by a Samurai Nobody from afar; slaying some Heartless who sought to take the Stark girl.

-Southern Borders of the Dothraki Sea-

The sun was blazing in the sky, despite a number of clouds being present. They were all spread out, making it hard for there to be any good shade. Barely a breeze came around, making it worse.

Such a feeling would be greatly welcomed to help cool down the land after this recent battle. For when it was done, Dany rode her husband's gift -her precious silver-haired mare- through the fields of the dead and conflict. Eventually, she halted her horse and motioned for either a handmaiden or one of her khas to help her down. The exiled Targaryen would've gone off on her own, but her pregnancy was making it more difficult by the day.

On her feet, she walked into the torn-up village with the handmaidens and khas following, smiling and jesting among themselves. Jorah, Beskha and Asher soon followed, but they were stone-faced, worried and paranoid unlike the others. Xion -however- wasn't present by her side; until later when things perhaps calmed down.

Amethyst eyes gazed over the battle-torn land, composed of torn earth and trampled rye and lentils while arakhs and arrows had sown a terrible new crop and watered it with blood. Sounds of dying horses and people in either pain or terror or both filled the air. With it were the bloodflies, swirling over the fresh corpses of both man and animal.

The town was on fire, black plumes of smoke rolling and tumbling as they rose into the hard blue sky. If there were more and denser, they may have become actual clouds in the sky, mistaking others for the cool coverage from the surrounding heat.

The scenic image would become a haunting segment in Daenerys' mind for years to come, witnessing her first Dothraki raid.

The Targaryen was told the people in this part of Essos were called the Lhazareen, but the Dothraki called them haesh rakhi, the Lamb men. Reason why was due to them worshiping some lamb or ram deity, given the toppled over statues indicated. She might have taken them for Dothraki, due to their clothing and similar physical characteristics of skin tone and almond-shaped eyes.

This is where similarities ended as these Lamb men were greatly frightened, pleading, dying, and suppressed. The women had it worse with her seeing signs of them being raped at various points in her field of vision; just like how she was on her wedding night and days after.

Glancing to the side, Dany saw her handmaidens look relatively calm alongside the Dothraki fighters ordered to stay with her by her husband. It was there she saw Beskha with a fury being withheld within her eyes which matched her balled fists. The princess could hear the curses faintly muttered by the Forrester, clearly wrathful against these Dothraki for their present action. This was rather opposite to the Mormont, calm and collected; perhaps due to him numbing himself from the horrific surroundings.

These comparisons made the Khaleesi learn she had a balanced party -of sorts- with one's growth and adjustments in these lands.

Asher and Beskha were acting as they should in this type of situation. Yes, they clearly want to stop this and don't want any part of this carnage, but if they tried they'd be overwhelmed and slaughtered. At least they show they possessed a human consciousness.

Same could be said towards Jorah by visually showing such reactions instead of suppressing it as he'd quickly grown accustomed to such things after he'd been exiled.

'Gods, I wish Xion could hurry back.' Dany thought with dread in her heart. 'I can't bear to witness more without her near.'

One may wonder what the cause of all of this in the first place.

It began earlier this day when Drogo's khalasar entered this territory. They expected to pass through yet another abandoned village or town for the umpteenth time since leaving Vaes Dothrak. Food and drink were restocked with what was plundered from all villages and towns they passed. But such detail didn't matter as the khalasaar felt like they were losing yet another opportunity after opportunity of pillaging and fighting against other people. Opportunities they were denied, courtesy of the Heartless many have come to believe were responsible.

In whispers, most of the Dothraki had started questioning Drogo on his promise to his unborn child. A self-given task not blessed by their Great Stallion. Thus they all aimlessly wandered for any pleasure that was becoming fleeting.

These issues were growing and festering like a sickness, ones which were becoming concerning towards Xion, Dany, their compatriots and other members of the khalasaar; one way or another.

It was only a matter of time before someone pulled the trigger to set it all off.

Their "frustrations" came to an end when they found life in this land, making Khal Drogo and many of his bloodriders roar and scream in delight at seeing a town to plunder. Them believing the Great Stallion answered their prayers to finally enact their customs after what felt like years.

If that wasn't enough, another khalasar was near; one which many would soon learn was led by Khal Ogo and his son Fogo.

Thus a mighty clash went underway with the Lhazareen town smack dab in the middle of it all.

All this, it felt like a blood bath. A ritual of sorts to draw out the Heartless. And it was putting a number of them on edge.

For others who may have paid attention to Xion's warnings pertaining to the Heartless, they were perhaps counting on it for a greater challenge for them to face due to their arrogance. The aforementioned factor could be debatable with how little action and fighting the khalasaar had in these past days.

In the end, she was indirectly responsible for all of this.

A sad reminder was given to the Targaryen by Rakharo when traversing through the streets.

"Lamb men will make good slaves. Khal Drogo will make a gift of them to the slavers, and the slavers will give us gold, silk, and steel."

"We will get more from Meereen than a slaving caravan." Irri added in.

All that gold was repurposed to buy ships for Dany's request to take back her ancestral throne.

Eventually coming to a stop, Dany looked further around. Numerous people were corralled and herded into various pens like lambs instead of actual people. Mothers stumbled along with dead faces, pulling sobbing children behind. Dany pitied them whilst remembering what terror felt like when it opened up like a fresh wound.

It became too much for her, causing her to speak up.

"Jorah, make them stop."

The Mormont, Forrester and sellsword gave the princess a look.

"Khaleesi?"

"You heard me."

"These men have shed blood for their Khal. Now they claim their rewards."

After hearing Jorah's argument, Dany soon heard Rakharo speak. "She is a lamb girl, Khaleesi. The riders do her honor. If her wailing offends the Khaleesi, I will bring you her tongue."

A shake of the head was the Targaryen's response, not wanting to witness such action.

"Princess, you have a gentle heart, but this is how it has always been."

"I do not have a gentle heart, ser."

Dany clearly doesn't, not entirely. Such gentleness is reserved for those closest to her and who have earned such a placement in her heart.

"Jhogo. Quaro. Rakharo. I want no rape. Do as I command or Khal Drogo will know the reason why."

The khas following Dany gave their Khaleesi a look all before following through with the command.

It didn't take much for her to know what went through their minds.

In all honesty, Dany doesn't know how much she could restrain the khalasaar without them thinking of her badly. It's truly hard and she doesn't know if such actions may be successful without them acting out.

It wasn't much after she saw Jorah following after the khas. The Mormont assisted the ordered bloodriders to stop the roughhousing amongst the many villagers.

"Am I doing the right thing?" She muttered.

"To me, you are." Spoke Beskha as Dany saw her beside her now.

"Quite the rough spot to be in, princess." Added in Asher. "But you do have my approval."

"But not the others."

"You can't win everything. Not every rational decision you'll make will be perfect." The second Northerner exile soon gave her a curious look. "Gotta ask but what do you plan on doing with them?"

"Excuse me?"

"I think he meant the women." Beskha cleared up.

A stray thought crossed her mind, eyeing the women all around.

"Bring them to me."

Asher and Beskha shared a look.

"You don't mean to claim them all, do you?"

"I can…" began Dany, becoming determined, "and I will."

"They'll basically be your slaves."

"...Better mine than baring mistreatment by others."

Slight bits of approval was received from the sellsword pair, but there was a bit of a conflicted one from Beskha. Dany could perhaps understand what she sees from the rough and tough woman, but there's still much she doesn't know about her just like Asher.

Dany and the others heard the khals' shouts as they went through their Khaleesi's command. The rapers laughed at them. But the laughter quickly turned to curses with some of them quickly being killed by the quick movements of Dany's khas and Jorah coming in for assistance.

The Dothraki who faced Jorah laughed, believing he could prevail against a man in full armor with him being slow.

Jorah quickly blocked and parried several blows with his trusted sword. When the arakh clashed onto his side, he pinched it with his arm and held it in place. The opponent tried prying it away, only for Jorah to punch the Dothraki in turn. And in the heat of the battle, Jorah quickly thrust his sword which harshly cut through the man's head, killing him from the blow.

The fight was relatively brief with some other Dothraki baring looks of disdain before moving elsewhere.

It got worse within the town. Many of the houses were wrecked or aflame. Headless corpses filled the narrow, twisted lanes. they passed other women being raped. each time, Dany made an end to it and claimed the victim as a slave. One of them blessed Dany haltingly in the common tongue. From others, she got only flat black stares. They were afraid she had saved them for some worse fate.

Eventually, there was a train of women following the assembled group towards the local temple.

Entering the vicinity, they saw Drogo seated in front of the large ram idol, leaning against his bloodied arakh for some support. On one side of the temple, spaces where severed heads and body parts, a little bit away from Drogo was another pile but consisted of cut-off braids. A pleased look was present on his face as he saw another Dothraki from the late Khal Ogo and Fogo swear his allegiance to him.

Who knows how many more will join his khalasaar as there will be a lot of others who have fled elsewhere.

Of course most of this was masking the bit of annoyance one of his bloodriders -Mago- was voicing a complaint of his pertaining to his wife.

Speaking of, he finally took notice of her arrival.

"Moon of my life," says Drogo. "Mago says you have taken his spoils, a daughter of a lamb man who was his to mount. Tell me the truth of this."

Hardening herself, the Targaryen spoke. "Mago speaks the truth, my sun and stars. I have claimed many daughters this day so they cannot be mounted."

"This is the way of war." Drogo plainly said. "These women are slaves now to do with as we please."

"It pleases me to keep them safe. If your riders would mount them, let them take them for wives."

This earned a number of scoffs from some bloodriders nearby, one from Mago and the other Qotho. It was the latter who voiced some rationality to his Khaleesi as such things would not work.

"Does the horse mate with the lamb?" Was the derisive comment from the bloodrider.

Dany didn't like hearing this, making her a bit sterner. "The dragon feeds on horse and lamb alike."

This got a small smile to form on Drogo's face as he's starting to like his wife more and more.

He had known and witnessed her being trained by Xion on how to fight. He even contributed from time to time to hopefully bond more with the mother of his son through a shared aspect.

The Khal knew his wife wanted to be strong, one worthy for a Khal instead of the typical frail women others have had in the past. And now most of the results of such training were beginning to show here and now. Even borrowing such strength and conviction elsewhere.

"You are a foreigner." Mago said roughly. "You do not command me."

"I am Khaleesi." Daenerys countered, a fire in her eyes. "I do command you."

This earned a chuckle from the Khal, making several heads turn to him. "See how fierce she grows?" He pointed slightly with one hand towards his wife's stomach with a smile. "That is my son inside her, the stallion that will mount the world, filling her with his fire. I will hear no more, then. Mago, find somewhere else to stick your cock."

Mago growled and spat. "I am sick and tired of us not acquiring anything. Haven't had any new women to fuck, things to kill, not even getting a damn challenge before today. And for what, for your precious Stallion?"

"You dare question me?"

Mago raised his arakh while stepping back a bit. "A Khal who takes orders from a foreign whore is no Khal."

Some of the other bloodriders moved forward to face him, but Drogo quickly halted them and ordered them to step back.

The horse lord looked at the one who sought to rebel against him. The disrespect he's seeing was not something he will likely take.

"I will not have your body burned." Drogo got up onto his feet and took a step. "I will not give you that honor."

Mago's arakh soon made contact with his Khal's chest, blade digging in deep slightly around the area of his arm and pectoral.

Drogo looked down, flexing a little as the blade went a tad deeper. He glared at the bloodrider as he continued to speak.

"The beetles will feed on your eyes. The worms will crawl through your lungs."

The offending arakh was pried out of Drogo's chest, having its owner swing his weapon soon after. The horse lord ducked from the swing by arching his back. This repeated several times in rapid succession before Drogo quickly moved behind his opponent.

Jorah pushed Dany behind him, soon protecting her in case this conflict between Khal and the bloodrider would escalate.

Drogo withdrew the daggers from his side as he spoke further. "The rain will fall on your rotting skin until nothing is left of you but bones."

With what he's doing, he wasn't giving Mago any further honor on facing any of his bladed weapons. The bloodrider didn't deserve it.

The mighty Khal stomped forward, causing Mago to resume his assault with powerful swings. Each one was avoided with impeccable timing.

"First you will have to kill me!"

With Mago's roar, he brought down his arakh at Drogo, thinking he is able to land a blow.

All that happened was his arms being caught in a fierce hold.

"I already have."

Maneuvering himself, Drogo was able to use Mago's arakh against him and slice through the man's throat. This earned some screams from the lamb women not far away while those of the khalasaar were quiet or cheered on their khal's victory.

Mago, meanwhile, was gurgling out blood as it was freshly coming out of his cut-open throat. And for added brutality, Drogo shoved his fingers into the wound and ripped out the entirety of the tongue and other meat before shoving his now dead bloodrider onto the ground.

Walking back to his previous seat, Drogo tossed the tongue in his hand onto the one pile of heads and limbs. The moment his butt made contact with the stone, he saw his wife coming right to him.

"My sun and stars is wounded."

"A scratch, moon of my life." Drogo disregarded her concern, though not unkindly.

"We'll get one of the healers to fix you, or Xion." Said Dany.

There were two sorts of healers in the khalasar: barren women and eunuch slaves. The first was for potions and old Dothraki rituals, the other for the knife, needle and fire. Xion counted as a third with her spells.

Even if she wants to leave them through what plans she and the others have discussed, the Dothraki were still her adoptive people. She cares for them, even her husband to a degree.

While part of her knew Drogo could win this fight, another wished he could've died to make things easier for possible plans for her and the others leaving. Yet she had to keep up appearances.

Drogo merely waved her off, whipping the blood from his fresh wound elsewhere on his chest.

"This is the bite of a fly."

"...It hurts me to see you bleed."

Drogo would've been fine keeping the wound, having it scab and joining one of his many scars. A story to tell to his son in the future. But he soon relented when seeing his wife's concerned look on her face in seeing him get better.

For now, the group sought someone to properly treat the wound, either one of their own healers or Xion with her magic.

The khalasaar will rest at the village, assembling the dead for proper funeral rights before moving elsewhere on the morrow. But before the sun rises and they all fall to slumber, they shall celebrate.

-Next Day, The Iron Throne Room-

Much clamor occurred in the most well-known, infamous throne room of the Seven Kingdoms.

It was mostly hushed instead of loud, due to the present proceedings.

Most wished to be a part of the royal court and take part in shaping much of the continent. It could've been considered a dream come true for many nobles and highborn with various levels of ambition.

The same can't be said for said individuals if they are present in dreadful times. For example, what occurred in most living memory was the reign of King Aerys II.

Nearly everyone back then was quiet as a dormouse, not wanting to speak out of turn and give out audible reactions in utmost fear. With all the things the Mad King had done in his court proceedings, people were quick to learn the gist of things and the norms on how to act in dark times.

And for Sansa Stark, she was living it here and now; witnessing history repeat itself once more.

The eldest daughter of Ned Stark stood in the back in the upper level of the throne room, hoping she could be forgotten by everyone. It was sadly not the case, making her wish she was anywhere but here.

Her entire body shook with pain, particularly the areas where fresh bruises had formed. The majority of them were covered by her simple gray wool dress, yet the ones visible on her exposed flesh were hard to ignore by any onlooker.

She began admonishing herself with a savage vitriol, shaking her head as she hugged herself.

This was her own fault. It happened last night.

She sought not to leave the princess' chambers as septa Mordane instructed her. She honestly tried to stay behind the door. Yet her womanly needs and bodily functions forced her to leave and go to the privy for much-needed relief.

An honest sad mistake, thinking she may have been safe in the dead of night; especially without her trusted direwolf.

Parting from Myrcella's bed and leaving the chamber, she saw her strange guards were no longer there. She scurried as quickly as she could to the nearest privy. At that time, everything felt better instead of being truly uncomfortable for quite some time.

Yet once leaving it and making her way back to the princess's chambers, they were there.

The Lannister guards, upon spotting her, swiftly took hold of her and dragged her away from any safety Myrcella and Lady could have given her if she got back into the Baratheon's bedchamber. She cried and screamed for help, yet none came for her; even when she was thrown back into her old chambers assigned to her.

It would be there she would be reunited with her frightened friend, Jeyne Poole, as she was thrown in there earlier that day. It wasn't much of a surprise for the reason as to why; for she would be cleaning her up and making her presentable for anything yet to come.

Both Northern girls cried and sought to comfort each other as best as possible with what occurred.

Upon this morning, the Stark girl was dragged out of her room and brought to the Throne Room where the aforementioned court proceedings would occur.

Of smallfolk and commoners, Sansa saw no sign, but a cluster of lords -great and small- milled restlessly. There were no more than twenty, where a hundred had once waited on King Robert; or rather her father when he had to hold court in his stead.

Sansa could recognize a number of them, in hopes of searching for friendly faces, yet none of them would meet her eyes.

It was perhaps out of fear, disbelief, or something else entirely. A feeling of dread welled in her gut as she was practically all alone here.

She may have sought comfort with Jeyne Poole, yet she was still locked up in her bedchambers… as far as she knew. Her old friend and handmaiden was the last of the Stark household servants here in the capital. There had to be some flickers of hope of there being more.

Regardless, Jeyne was devastated to learn of her father's demise and her fellow Northerners. She too was alone in the world, just like Sansa felt at this moment.

She had not seen her own father but the idea of losing him…

It was almost too much to bear or even consider a possibility.

This was Eddard Stark, Warden of the North who had survived two wars and had always been an immovable pillar in her life. He was always there for her and her siblings, providing guidance, love and care to make them better for each other and for the North and now the realm.

To lose him…

Sansa lurched forward, covering her mouth in hopes of forcing back the sick, horrendous feeling that came over her.

This was too much.

Everything she had known up until a day ago had literally been ripped right out from under her feet.

Roxas is gone, her father in prison, her sister is missing with the rest of her family being far up in the isolated North.

Myrcella can only protect so much from all this and she is now surrounded on all sides by enemies.

Sansa could still hear the whispers and murmurs of 'poor girl' and 'possible traitor' among many others regarding herself. The last one was difficult, feeling like an arrow piercing through her.

Some people seem to believe Ned Stark is a traitor, given some fabricated story having been weaved. As a result, she was branded as a traitor's daughter, which made things harder to deal with here in the capital. All many could do was give her looks of sympathy and inaction, for if they sought to support her, they'd be labeled as "traitors" as well.

Awkward and uncomfortable, she greatly wished she had someone to rely upon in that very room. Someone to lean against, like a strong and supportive column. Unfortunately, she couldn't obtain such luxury.

She put on the bravest face she could muster, recalling every lesson she went through to be an unfearing woman. The butterflies fluttering in the stomach said otherwise.

"It is at the wish of his grace that his loyal servant, Janos Slynt -Commander of the City Watch, be at once raised to the rank of Lord." Pycelle spoke out in a brief stutter before resuming. "And granted the ancient seat of Harrenhal…"

Sansa raised a brow at the time, wondering if that was possible. To her knowledge, House Whent still owned the castle keep and lands. This would clearly cause issues with those in the Riverlands on the sudden change of management.

"To Lord Petyr Baelish of the Fingers in the Vale." Said the aged maester. "For his recent actions in assisting the crown, any and all false accusations have been dismissed. His lands, titles and wealth are reinstated, as by King Joffrey's decree."

When hearing this, Sansa wondered what actions her mother's old friend did exactly. She was clearly left out of the loop. It may have been others in the court not wanting the "traitor" to know any current predicaments or things may have been hushed for the safety of the realm. Whatever the case may be, she had a dreadful feeling in her stomach; more so than before the current court session.

The Stark girl looked towards the Iron Throne where the Kingsguard were stationed. As many lords, ladies and knights swore fealty to Joffrey, Sansa wished the esteemed brotherhood could help right these wrongs and save them all by defeating the dastardly king. But nothing happened, like many times before throughout history.

The Red She-Wolf of Winterfell finally noticed something was amiss amongst their numbers. Aside from the unusual state of their mannerisms -as far as she knew- Ser Barristan wasn't amongst them.

This question upon her mind would soon be answered later when she was brought forward and stood alone in front of many.

With all present members of the court having finished swearing their fealty upon the new king, many awaited for others to arrive or messages being delivered to enact the same as everyone else. From there, it was time for the "traitors" to be accounted for.

"In place of the traitor Eddard Stark, it is his grace's wish that Tywin Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock and Warden of the West, be appointed Hand of the King." Proclaimed Grand Maester Pycelle.

This detail made Sansa grow ridged, thinking Joffrey couldn't shame her House any further. Removing her father from his honorable station here at the capital in such a manner.

It was then did her name got called out, all but forcing her to walk forward and stand a dozen feet away from the Kingsguard and the Iron Throne.

More murmurs and whispered chatter, grating on Sansa's nerves just as much as it unsettled her.

Sympathy, pity, accusatory, anger, confusion, it was all too much for the young girl who had to momentarily close her eyes to find some moment of clarity. The noise turned out but the echo remained.

Regardless, she attempted to put on a brave front, looking up at the newly self-proclaimed king.

The maddening grin coupled with the frighteningly twisted eyes was almost too much for her. He looked positively vile in every sense of the word.

When she saw him like this, the Stark girl swore that there must have been a shadow behind or around him as the entire room darkened once his attention was placed on hers.

"Well, well," Joffrey's voice sounded sweet, honeyed and depraved.

Her entire form began to quiver in absolute terror as an intense pressure came over the throne room. She didn't even register all others in attendance who were experiencing an uncomfortable sensation around them.

The many swords which made up the Iron Throne and those spread out and connected on the platform and flowing down the steps made things more dreadful on Joffrey's appearance.

She wanted to grasp her pendant hidden beneath the top of her dress and pray to the gods to save her, somehow. She felt like crying right now yet found the internal strength to reign herself in and stay strong.

Well… as strong as she could be right now.

"If it isn't my dear beloved betrothed." The Bastard King's voice was as condescending as his posture. "How are you, my love? Are you unwell? You look nervous. Scared even. Tell me, what can your king and future husband do to assuage your fears."

Her jaw tightened up, eyes widening in terror as Joffrey took a menacing step towards her. She instinctively took a step back, earning a scoff from the madman.

"Come now, you're my queen-to-be. Is that any way to treat your betrothed, dearly beloved?"

Sansa felt herself begin to hyperventilate, vision blurring.

The pressure that permeated the throne room increased twofold, the redhead now clutching her clothes tightly around her chest. She wished she could grasp her mother's pendant underneath her dress and pray to the gods to give her strength.

"Now then," she didn't even realize he was standing in front of her now. "Let's discuss the matters of your traitorous father. And what are we to do with you?"

Sansa's fair skin paled considerably as she mentally stumbled in formulating a response. Her eyes tried not to meet his, looking elsewhere for brief moments.

When she did, her eyes saw drops of blood by his feet. Trailing upward, she saw his hand was cut and was dripping blood ever slightly.

She wondered how he cut himself, along with not giving a response like times in the past of receiving an injury. Either he was swallowing the pain, showing how "strong" he was in front of court or something else.

Not to mention where he got the cut from… unless…

"Your g-grace." She said nervously, soon looking back at his face before swallowing a lump of stone down her throat. "As it pleases you, I ask mercy for my father and my sister."

She could tell her little sister could perhaps be imprisoned as well. There would be no way for Arya to not act out of turn with so little left of their House at stake.

"I see." Joffrey said coyly. "Then tell me, do you deny any and all words your father proclaimed?"

Sansa cocked a brow, curious as to why Joffrey asked for such a thing.

She could comply and deny, resulting in her and her family's safety. She could, however, refuse and risk danger. Well… further danger considering all that's already transpired.

Before any response could be spoken out of her mouth-

*SLAM*

The doors to the throne room were thrown open in a dramatic fashion and in walked a girl who lived up to the words of her father's house.

"JOFFREY!"

Everyone in the throne room snapped their heads into the direction of Myrcella Baratheon who looked positively furious.

A roar came from the princess which was a rare sight for anyone to hear as she has been known to be such a kind and sweet girl, those who witness the blonde Baratheon princess march her way towards the self-proclaimed king in the throne room who was astonished to hear such a raised voice from his sister.

Sansa, however, bore much hope as it swiftly welled up inside of her. Tears started to form out of relief at seeing her beloved friend and secret paramour to be here now.

Joffrey, for the first time, saw such a face on his sister's but no doubt heard about his announcement pertaining to her. "Ah, dear sister-"

He didn't get far as his sister stood directly in his face, screeching in interruption.

"Of all the despicable things you have done! This has gone too far!" The princess couldn't believe the stories she had heard about her brother using the shadows of those… abominations, unable to believe it to be true and all other things he had done to start a war and hurt her beloved friend and secret paramour. "You practically took my friend away from me, having me awaken in the middle of the night when hearing her screams. I sought her return, yet none of the guards listened to me."

"Because they follow me now, dear sister." Joffrey rebuked it as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"And I wasn't told of these court proceedings until hearing about them not so long ago." She said sternly. "I needed to be here to show support for the Throne with so little of our family left. And yet I was apparently told otherwise." She even looked around briefly before eying her brother once more. "Not to mention mother isn't here as well."

"She has no place in dealing with this court proceeding."

"Even if it's your first one?" She retorted, unimpressed.

The new King sputtered, glaring at his sister. "I was the Crown Prince in case you forget yourself, dear sister. I have been in many court proceedings before. Roxas has been in more proceedings in his short time here than you have in your entire life."

"An issue I'll rectify, starting now. One which I delayed as I was learning how to be a proper princess and member of our joint Houses, unlike you with not attending your lessons; practically ever." Said Myrcella. "But once he returns, I'll have Roxas-"

Joffrey's expression contorted into that of anger, teeth clenched, eyes ablaze with insanity.

"As if I would allow that peasant within these walls ever again! And what would he know of the nobility of Westeros? The betrothal you had with him has long since been broken. Our lineage will not be tainted by-"

"YOU DISAVOWED MY BETROTHAL?!"

Joffrey reeled back, at a loss for words at his sister's rageful scream.

He wasn't even able to utter a word in response as Myrcella got right in his face and for the briefest of moments, he was inundated with fear.

"Are you bloody kidding me!? Are you insane!?" She snarled. "No, of course you are. You've always been insane and-"

"YOU ARE TALKING TO A KING!" Joffrey all but screeched pointing to himself petulantly. "YOU MAY BE MY SISTER BUT YOU WILL SHOW ME THE RESPECT THAT I DESERVE, DO YOU HEAR ME?!"

The two siblings now glared at each other heatedly, hateful sparks flying between them both.

"M-Myrcella…" Sansa stuttered out. "W-What do you mean…?"

The question muttered out of the Stark girl seemed to echo what many in the room seemed to think of now.

Not once breaking eye contact with her brother, Myrcella spoke. "Appears the king broke the arrangement between Roxas and I."

Sansa looked between them both, clearly confused and conflicted but also finding difficulty in speaking.

"You… you're no longer betrothed to Roxas?" She asked in a low voice.

Myrcella growled in response and Joffrey sneered at her.

"I don't know what father was thinking but having you betrothed to that wretched Nobody is as disgraceful as laying in bed with the Targaryens he's killed."

Fury slowly brewed behind those blue-green eyes. The manicured nails of their owner dug into her palms, threatening to pierce the flesh due to the hands forming into fists.

"You will say and believe anything to keep your claim on the throne." She said evenly.

"It is not a claim; it is mine by right."

"You're just afraid that you're wrong and can not admit it like you've always done in the past."

Many in the throne room tensed more and more with the chatter between the royal siblings.

As this went on, a stray thought crossed many minds with the recent proclamation of Roxas presently unbetrothed.

If this were any other situation, many women -both young and somewhat old, who are still of childbearing age- would vie for the chance to go after such an eligible bachelor. One with such prestige and reputation. It would greatly raise their standing, and their Household across the continent in more ways than one.

Sansa would be a liar if she didn't consider herself amongst their numbers. But not out of ambition many obviously have, but out of genuine love.

She would greatly desire to have Roxas all to herself and be happy for the rest of her days. But if she would have to share him with the crown princess, one whom she started to awkwardly develop complicated feelings towards, then she can accept it if she could be considered a royal consort.

These thoughts and more soon ended once the volume in the room seemed to rise drastically.

"In a more actual truth, you hate him because he's better than you in every way!" Myrcella screamed. "You're pathetic!"

"PATHETIC?!" Joffrey raged. "I saved our family from being besmirched by some peasant who got it in his head that he can marry into royalty!"

"How long will it take for this to finally get through your stubborn skull that Roxas didn't want to marry me in the first place?"

She wanted to rip out her hair in frustration with how long this has been going on. Better yet, rip out Joffrey's to merely take out her present annoyance.

"You dare say-"

"And how could you call off my betrothal?!" Came her yell, soon pointing out an apparent detail. "You have not been anointed by the High Speton to officially be called king. As far as I know, you're still just a prince. You're merely king in all but name until then."

It was supposed to be the happiest moment of her life to marry the boy she had fallen in love with as it was one of the rare moments for any member of the great Houses to cherish. She imagined herself being a loving wife and having princes and princesses with him; little ones with blonde hair, blue and green eyes, happily playing with and also those of Sansa's to perhaps raise as a second mother figure to them. And if she were right on some observations, Tyene may become a third.

But that dream was perhaps shattered beyond imagining what Joffrey was trying to enact.

"And what right do you have to imprison Ned Stark and slay both his men and the Dornish?" Myrcella spat out. "You want war at our shores from both the North and Dorne with an already present conflict?"

"That man is a traitor and deserves to have his head cut off." Joffrey argued, not expecting his foolish sister to understand. "He was plotting to take the throne, and shall be executed unless he accepts me as the one true king. And I will do the same thing to that bastard low life Roxas when he is capture-"

*SLAP*

The sound of a hand slapping against the face echoed in the chambers.

The silence was deafening with many who were present almost not realizing that what had transpired was real and not some sort of illusion.

No one had ever expected to witness the sight of the princess slapping the face of the king, even her own brother as many had known her to be a kind and gentle princess, loved by all. The hand print was fresh as red on the astonished king's cheek, Joffrey winced from feeling the stinging pain and stared at her, almost reminding him of his late 'father' when he had been angry at him.

All the while, the Kingsguard didn't react… much. Neither went to restrain the offender, due to her being the royal princess and this was considered a family squabble. Only when Joffrey gives the order will they act.

"Don't you DARE lay a finger on my beloved! You had no right to call off my betrothal!" Myrcella raised her voice, which for a moment, startled her brother to almost feel timid and almost reminded him of his 'father'. "I love Roxas! I'm going to marry him and we need him to bring that monster who killed our father to justice!"

Joffrey still stared in complete stunned disbelief at his sister, hand over his cheek.

It appeared that Myrcella cared very little for his reaction at this time as she was looking around, eyeing the Kingsguard who were at an impasse as to what to do between them both. The Princess finished her assessment of the gold-clad knights, turning back to her still shell-shocked brother.

"Where is Ser Barristan? Why isn't he here?" She questioned.

That question seemed to snap Joffrey out of his daze, if only barely. "I let him go."

Myrcella looked aghast. "You did what?"

Regaining a bit of his cocky demeanor, Joffrey squared his shoulders, puffing his chest out. "I let him go. He failed to protect father and-"

"You have no right to do such a-"

"I have every right!" He yelled in return. "I am King of the Seven Kingdoms!"

Myrcella said nothing, only glaring at her bratty brother, who returned in kind.

And suddenly-

*SLAP*

-she slapped him once more; drawing ever more stunned silence within the throne room. This time with a bit more force, causing her brother to stumble back.

The act ended up having him press his one leg into one of the connecting swords along the steps which led up to the Iron Throne. Joffrey hissed from the pain, both from his sister and the sword piercing his skin, drawing some blood in the process.

Once more, the Kingsguard didn't move from their placements.

"Y-You struck me, again!" Was his complaint.

"You don't say." Came the sister's sneer. "Shall I give you another reminder?"

After what Sansa had told her of how Joffrey had so much loathe and hate towards their beloved Keybearer after he was made a fool in front of people on that incident in the Neck. She thought he was being foolish, but as Roxas was receiving such praises across Westeros for his heroic and selfless deeds, Joffrey only used his status and title to get his way with anything.

If he uses his power as king to abuse it, she fears what he would do to the Seven Kingdoms and the people she loves, especially Roxas.

Regaining his senses back to feel the hard slap on his cheek, utterly shocked that his sister would do that to a king. Had she been anyone else, he would have her punished severely and executed right on the spot. Yet, as much as he would have wanted to… he made an oath to his "associate" for a deal he made.

"I will let them pass… for now, but what you did is punishable by death." Controlling his anger and any visual sign of pain in order to not be seen as weak in the eyes of everyone who saw that within this very room. "If you still believe he is as people claim you are wrong to see it, or he may have just seduced you to claim the throne." Joffrey proclaimed, bringing up his belief that Roxas was after the throne.

"Roxas had no interest in the throne, nor did he had intended to marry in the first place when it was announced by our father." Myrcella argued when she understood it was sudden for him and a surprise. Uncertain why her brother would suggest such a foolish thought. "Yet he indeed cares for me, not as a princess but as a person. A concept you fail to understand."

But her brother did not seem to buy it, his hate towards Roxas remained strong and clouded his thoughts as he truly believed it was plotted by the lowly commoner. "Is that what you think? Once I have his head, I will make his Stark whore watch the final moments."

The insult against Sansa made Myrcella want to strike him and dare make his intentions to harm her beloved Roxas, but unlike him, she had more control over her emotions while part of her Baratheon side wanted to unleash her wrath.

Seven Hells, it would be all so simple to push her abusive brother into one of the jetting swords nearby. The temptation was there. Yet she didn't want to be named kinslayer, despite how many would forgive her for the act.

"What do you mean?" Playing ignorant of what he was talking about, she was aware of Sansa's love for Roxas but if Joffrey is aware of her affections for him it could spell trouble.

"Seems she appeared more affectionate to your former betrothed." While possibly not aware of what went on in the dance when it wasn't his interest.

It was what she feared as he could use that to torment Sansa, but didn't want him to find out knowing his intelligence wasn't his best talent. "So you claim, but it's nothing compared to what I heard about you using… black magic and summoning Heartless and Unversed?! The whole of Westeros will know what you did and will not accept you as their king!"

"And you think they will accept you and that bastard as king? It is I who is the rightful heir!" Glaring with hate towards his half-sister, eager to get rid of her as he was trying to control this power he was given from proven her statement.

"Even if Roxas didn't want it, many would still say he would make a greater king than you." And she would support him when she truly believed it when there were many stories and songs about his actions in praise.

"He is nothing more than a wretched upstart who needs to remember his place!" Joffrey was close to shrieking again.

"And you're just a jealous, spiteful monster who can't stand the fact that he's nothing compared to Roxas." Myrcella didn't wait for a response, turning about and walking over to Sansa and eyed the bruises on her exposed flesh. "Come, Sansa, we're getting those treated."

The Stark girl felt dumbfounded as she was tugged along by the princess. All she could do was nod as she willingly complied with her friend's action.

Joffrey stared at this, glaring hatefully. "She hasn't been given dismissal-"

Myrcella rounded on him, her glare matching his. "She will leave with me, now."

The parting of a sea of noble lords, ladies, knights and other people of importance went on as Myrcella all but dragged the young Lady Stark out of the throne room.

Yet they heard one last thing from the supposed king of the realm, a means of having the last word of the conversation.

"A woman cannot claim the Iron Throne. And not with some bastard Nobody as royal consort." Said Joffrey, once sitting back onto the Iron Throne. "That is the order of things."

Myrcella said nothing, only holding a defiant expression as she walked out of the Throne Room with Sansa.

If the princess was to look back, she may have seen a hint of Joffrey hissing a little once more with him pricked by the throne.

She guided Sansa all the way back up to her own room and upon entry, they were greeted to the sight of Jeyne Poole and Lady waiting for them.

The moment the door closed behind them, Myrcella shuddered, nearly collapsing where she stood.

"Myrcella." Sansa said in worry, kneeling down to her, arms around her shoulders.

"I'm fine." The Princess shakily said, reaching up to grab her hands and held them tightly.

She had to thank the gods for giving her this courage to face her brother. Not to mention of the lucky break Joffrey didn't seek their imprisonment for her actions and defiance. If they were anyone lesser, they'd have a swift sentencing to the Black Cells or a torturous death.

The pair were joined by Jeyne and Lady, the former taking the Princess's other side with Lady licking her face and then looking at Sansa.

"I'm sorry for what's happening." Myrcella whispered, turning to the red-haired girl, hand reaching up to her cheek. "I'm so sorry about Joffrey and your father and-"

"Hey, hey." Sansa leaned her forehead against Myrcella's cheek. "I'm ok, I'm ok."

The princess shook her head, her forehead now leaning against Sansa's.

"No, no it's not ok." She whispered. "Look what my brother did to you with our Household guards. How can you worry for me when he did this to you?"

Sansa said nothing, simply reaching up to Myrcella's hand on her cheek and grasped it tightly. She whispered that everything was alright and that they had each other in case of anything getting any worse. Myrcella leaned against the Stark girl, nuzzling her slightly whilst continuing to quietly murmur apologies for her indecisiveness and not helping her sooner.

Observing, Jeyne bore a curious expression, confused about how these two were acting with each other. One which was far more than just concerns between friends.

She pushed such thoughts aside as she had more pressing concerns in needing to tend to both her lady and the princess in their time of need.

"Come on you two." Jeyne whispered, making them both stand. "Let's patch ourselves up."

Myrcella and Sansa simply nodded as they were soon all seated upon the former's with Sansa being the main focus of their attention as they tended to her fresh wounds and bruises.

Taking her secret paramour to the connecting washroom of her chambers, the blonde Baratheon recalled Joffrey's last words in the throne room; causing her to frown.

It was a challenge if it ever was one. Something for her to prove she's more than she is.

With how things are going to proceed after what Joffrey has caused, she'll have to begin playing the Game; one which she had detested knowing about in the past.

'When I'm queen, I'll create a new order.' The princess thought to herself. 'An order for a new age.'

-Southern Borders of the Dothraki Sea-

She's been sensing it all of yesterday, last night and most of this early morning.

Something unsettling was present as a fluttering sense of dread.

No. i didn't know why but it's been keeping her at the edge.

It all began when Drogo's khalasar first spotted the Lhazareen town alongside Ogo's forces raiding the local populace. Xion couldn't stop Dany's husband from going in and attacking, even if she tried.

The Keybearer was sadly roped into fighting many of the opposing Dothraki alongside her companions. It was a sick feeling of her having to kill so many with her magic as she couldn't do so with physical attacks from her Keyblade, but what else could she have done?

With the attack going on, her mind was relatively all over the place.

It may be an ample opportunity to enact the plan to kill Drogo during this brief conflict. The chaos of the battle may cover it. Or let someone on the opposing side do the job for them.

There was a problem with that idea when thinking of it with a clearer head.

If Drogo fell in this type of battle, then the opposing Khalasar would have the right to assimilate theirs. And from that would be a slew of complications.

No, for Dany to be free and be elsewhere, Drogo's death had to be on their terms.

At the end of the whole conflict, there were ten thousand added to Drogo's khalasar; either Lhazareen slaves or members of the late Khal Ogo and Fogo. The former detail made Xion sick.

This was a price her friend had to pay, one which she didn't seek to use.

As all of the "excitement" began dying down, it allowed Xion to ponder as she traveled all around the Lhazareen town.

She knew there was something else occurring.

It began when she saw any lack of evidence of any Heartless being seen in the area. With all of the ones Drogo's khalasar passed through these days, no living soul was present except for a few but was slain for others to see by the Heartless.

With the recent raid and attack on Ogo's khalasar, such things would clearly draw in the Heartless. But to her surprise, none showed.

It just didn't make any sense.

The whole thing kept her mostly up last night with her overwhelmed mind. Didn't help with how loud the "celebration" was whilst avoiding the majority of it. Her excuse was her still patrolling the area, but in truth was her trying to figure out this little mystery.

She even brought it up with several others on the ideas and they were rather mixed.

Overall, she had a different mindset than the others.

She still had her training and knowledge from the Organization, knowing how the Heartless relatively thought and acted. And there was the "fortunate" bonus of her having a copy of Sora's memories and experience of his time facing the Heartless before arriving at Castle Oblivion.

Call it paranoia, but if she had to guess, they were lured here. And their greater sense of security had been dropped with the recent attack on the opposing khalasar and town.

Not to mention the factor of Drogo's Khalasaar got a bit too wild last night, causing a lot of people to have their usual methods of fun during celebrations. All of their supplies with alcoholic type drinks they had in their reserves were used up along with most originating from this Lhazareen town. Thus a great number of the Dothraki were drunk and had varying levels of hangovers.

If so, then who was holding the bait? And when would an apparent attack happen?

"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"

Now, apparently.

-Insert Kingdom Hearts III: Tension Rising-

Hearing the scream, Xion went into action and rushed towards the source.

Along the way, she saw many people were somewhat getting ready for the day, packing up and ready to head towards Mereen as per previous plans. Such things are now being put to a relative halt.

Most people ignored such screams, thinking it was something relevant to Dothraki customs like a morning rape or killing.

That changed when more screams were made with the following sounds of battle.

Arriving at the scene, Xion saw a number of Heartless present with a few more appearing upon slaying some people.

The surprise attack was effective as things were slowly spiraling out of control.

Immediately she cast Magnera, having many of the Heartless quickly be pulled and drawn towards the conjured blackened mass above Xion. One by one in the vicinity, the dark creatures began orbiting the construct all before they were met with a litany of sword blows and rapid Thunder spells.

As the Magnera spell wore off, the former Organization member lunged forward, swinging her Keyblade to and fro at any remaining present foes.

Xion spun Kingdom Key in a circular fashion, winds whipping around her before dashing forward. She had to help clear a path for a number of people before moving elsewhere.

This had to end in the early stages of this attack. She needs to save as much as she can.

Rushing over the Lhazareen town, she saw many being slain or having difficulty against the Heartless. They were utterly surrounded by the dark creatures. Their attacks were useless, only becoming means of knocking them away as defensive measures.

Sounds of stomped marching could perhaps be heard. It was unnoticeable at first, due to the present conflict, but it became prominent as it grew ever louder like rolling thunder.

Eventually traversing on top of the rooftops, Xion could see a sea of Heartless surrounding them all making her grit her teeth.

'This is clearly unlike them.' She thought with a narrowed glance. 'There's someone behind it all. It has to be.'

If there was someone with much darkness inside of them, it would draw many Heartless towards them. It was likely to happen, given what occurred yesterday at the raid. There would've been some building resentment to quickly form throughout the night.

If that's indeed the case, this was beyond such a thing.

"Ah~~~ There you are!"

The voice was distorted, sickening to sound but she knew the slimy voice all the same.

It couldn't be…

Xion whirled around, glaring in defiance and shock at the sight of someone she thought was dead and disposed of.

Viserys Targaryen.

"Xion~~ My dear subject to be." The elder brother of Daenerys continued to speak in his distorted voice. "So glad to see you again after such time apart."

Xion tensed up, taking a moment to analyze the Targaryen before her. It was Viserys, but he was different in more ways than one. His silvery-gold hair was now straight up gold. His amethyst eyes were sickly yellowish-gold. His skin was paler than the norm with some black veins around his neck.

Asides from the physical characteristic changes, Dany's older brother wore scalemail-styled armor with a matching dragon-themed helmet with nothing covering his exposed face. On the chest plate was the stylized sigil of House Targaryen, yet it was centered within an altered emblem of the Heartless which was more prominent to Xion.

"You're alive." She said out of disbelief.

"Clearly." Chuckled out Viserys, cocking his head a little in curiosity. "Aren't you gonna ask how?"

"That'd be a waste of time." She said back. "It's not hard really. All these Heartless, I'm already guessing they somehow brought you back."

"Yes, at Death's door until I was granted life once more." He threw out his arms with the biggest, sinister smile he could muster. "The Heartless chose me as their champion, their ruler, their king. I shall live up to it by being a ruler of Darkness as I take Westeros and more with my new army."

Xion bit back a scoff. "You're delusional. You can't rule Darkness. It rules you, uses you-"

"SILENCE!" Viserys roared, throwing his arms forward.

Coming from his hands, darkness reformed and became a longsword in one hand with a shield that resembled the Heartless Defender shield appearing on the other. The aforementioned defensive item was more draconic in nature with the red and black coloration, instead of the varying blues with the canine style; yet the yellow eyes were still present.

"I will hear no more from you, wretch!" Yellow wisps began emanating from the corners of his eyes. "It's high time I give you and these savages their long-deserved punishment against me!"

He rushed forward, bringing down his sword, which Xion blocked and held in place. He reared back his blade before swinging towards the side. Once more it was blocked followed by a parry. She tried to do a counterattack, yet his Defender shield made it difficult.

Thus she had to improvise.

When he attacked once more, she swerved around him and performed a few strikes on his exposed backside. Prior to going any further, he whirled his arm around and smacked her away with his shield before performing a shield bash against her.

Viserys didn't let up on the one attack, soon delivering an array of cuts and stabs. They weren't refined from years of practice, only wild and unpredictable as if trying to hit an imaginary, evading foe; wishing some hits may land. He was apparently successful when he came in with another shield strike.

Xion staggered back from the final blow of the series of attacks but had to defend against the shield once more as it came right at her. She quickly went on the offensive, yet Viserys was somewhat quick to follow to intercept or evade the coming attacks.

At this moment, Xion could realize something about Viserys as they continued trading blows and forms of interception.

With all that power he now wielded, he was still weak.

His attacks, while there was power behind them, lacked the 'oomph' that prevented him from delivering a finishing blow to her. He was wild and unorganized, fighting with no sense of style or form.

For all the time she knew him from Pentos up til his demise at Vaes Dothrak, not once did she see him training. This was backed up by Daenerys' testimony as he never bothered to work on his skills since sometime after they were kicked out of their home in Braavos. Back then he was more focused on keeping himself and Dany alive and seeking aid. Ever since he severely lacked proper skill whilst trying to obtain means of retaking the Iron Throne; all the while sacrificing any time for training.

From there she remembered that Viserys is basically a Heartless now, following through with instincts and old memories. If he bothered training, then his enhanced movements would've been refined through sword swings and strikes, body movements and shield parries and defenses.

Essentially, he is merely all power with no true skill. What power he does have is in terms of his Heartless army. Whatever strength and speed he possessed -gifted by the Heartless- was practically wasted.

She could work with that. All she had to do was fight him on his own. Burning him out in the process and she'll be triumphant in the end upon overwhelming him.

Problem is their numbers and disadvantages.

The Khalasaar and her companions can meet the numbers of the opposing forces, yet do not have proper means of harming and finishing off the Heartless. Thus far, only she and Drogo could due to their weapons of Keyblade and Valyrian steel arakh respectively.

Clearly that wasn't enough. She couldn't focus on one over the other. They needed help. All these Heartless are too much for them to handle alone.

If only they had proper weapons. If only there were better forces.

If only…

"Our lady… what is your desire?"

She halted, momentarily confused when she heard the call. The distraction caused her to be knocked back by Viserys before coming in with another array of sword swings and stabs. Xion was blocking and avoiding each one when slightly thinking back to moments ago.

The call she received was one she hadn't heard in a long time. One from the silence that only entities such as herself could understand.

Disbelief washed over her when realizing what was happening. She soon fought back a chuckle and a smile as she focused more on the surrounding forces, once knocking Viserys away and giving her some space.

She didn't know whether or not something or someone was watching over her. Maybe it was the Gods of this World or perhaps another force entirely. Or even Kingdom Hearts itself was sending this blessing.

Whatever it was, Xion was not about to disregard it.

"I need your help." Was her request.

"Then you shall have it."

Within the dwindling and weakening forces, something began to form from the near nothingness.

One began from zero. One became two. Two becomes ten. Ten became a hundred. A hundred turned to a thousand and so on.

From various areas of the vicinity, large plumbs of silvery-gray smoke and vapors exploded from all around. From them appeared various lesser Nobodies composed of Dusks, Creepers and oddly enough Dragoons.

Xion had a new army at her beck and call. One which surprised the khalasaar and those not of their people.

Confusion was obviously present with people believing they were facing another set of foes. It didn't help with most Dothraki -without thinking- struck first. Each failed in landing a blow, given the Nobodys' quick and nimble bodies swiftly avoiding most blows while the rest were not effective.

Instead of fighting the humans, the Nobodies strictly fought the Heartless.

Before long, a new battle began. Heartless vs Nobodies. Black vs Gray.

In a way, to some, if they looked from overhead, it looked much like a cyvasse match.

This observation would soon be noticeable across many throughout this event.

For example a bundle of people who were able to group together upon happenstance.

"What the hell are these things?" Asked Asher, seeing these silvery-gray entities more or less surrounding them.

"You think I know?" Came Beskha's response.

"They not Heartless, that is certain." Spoke Rakharo in the broken basic tongue.

"No bloody shit." Said the two sellswords in synch.

The group heard a particular set of *clangs* in the air. Instinctively they looked up and saw a pair of darkly clad individuals battling momentarily. Reason why was that one of them was sent crashing into some abandoned home near their location. The force of the impact had it toppled over and buried the person underneath it all.

A moment later, the other figure landed before the group, revealing it was Xion.

"Are you guys alright?" She asked straight away whilst casting Cura on her friends.

They shot her grateful looks as their injuries and exhaustion were alleviated.

"Could be better if it weren't for this mess." Beskha remarked, spinning her blade around to bat away a Shadow.

"Where's Dany?"

There was a slight bit of confusion when this was asked, but it was answered regardless.

"Last I saw, she's either with Jorah or Drogo."

Xion nodded to Beskha's words before looking at the Nobodies and took note of which ones were present.

'Creepers and Dusks are understandable as any greater Nobody could summon them.' She thought before observing the one type to stand out the most to her. 'Dragoons? But I thought they were exclusive to Xaldin and him alone.'

Was there something she didn't exactly know in the current standing in the Nobody hierarchy?

"Xion?" Asher's voice cut through her thoughts.

No. i turned to the three fighters, who were still tense and looked at her with questioning looks.

"Yes?"

"Why aren't you fighting these blokes?"

The greater Nobody blinked before realizing what Asher meant.

"Don't worry. These guys are with me." Xion swept her hand towards the lesser Nobodies. "They're here to help."

With that said, the trio were greatly confused in a litany of ways with more questions forming in their heads.

Rakharo soon heard faint rumbling from the ruined home not far away before speaking out of curiosity. "You think Heartless you fought is near death?"

Xion looked towards the collapsed home with a narrowed glance.

"We're far from done."

As this was said, the homely remains practically exploded to reveal her opponent as relatively fine; only knocked out for a brief period.

The tainted Targaryen snarled, stepping out of the wreckage and hotly glared at the Keybearer with dark vapors rolling off of his form.

"You think that's enough to take me down, Xion?"

As this was spoken, the Dothraki in the group shuttered with wide eyes when recognizing the voice and stepped back soon after when seeing the face behind the helmet.

"Viserys?" Rakharo voiced out of shock and confusion. "He is alive?"

Asher and Beskha were bewildered and confused when regarding this bit of information.

"Wait, that's him?"

"You told us he was dead."

"He was," Xion stated, "but he had help from his apparent death."

She soon brought Kingdom Key up, blocking a powered blow. She was thrusted backwards as Viserys pushed her away from the strike before he went right after her.

As the two fighters left, the trio were left behind with the Nobodies still present.

There was a slight bit of awkwardness with the three humans with the creatures of Nothingness surrounding them.

"You believe what Xion said is true with these things perhaps being allies?"

"No clue. But what choice do we have?"

Rakharo voiced his thoughts in the broken, basic tongue. "I trust her. She earned it so far."

Asher and Beskha shared a look. A silent conversation briefly took place on them not wanting to say a thing about the previous plans on killing Khal Drogo as it would greatly make the one Dothraki quickly distrust the Keybearer.

"Right. But how exactly will these things help us out?"

As if the cosmos answered the given question, dozens of Heartless soon appeared before them. The present Nobodies were quick to react and attack the new arrivals.

A number of the Creepers didn't act right away. However, they did something else by forming into mock bladed weapons with one of them becoming a shield.

The trio shared a look and bore a feeling on what was being suggested towards them by their newfound allies.

Rushing in, they each took their Nobody themed blades while Beskha additionally took on the shield.

The scarred woman of the group rushed in with a shield bash, knocking one Heartless midair. Asher came in right after, swinging his Creeper sword a few times into their foe before his partner and friend came in with a hardened downward strike with her Nobody shield to destroy it. From there, Beskha stabbed her Nobody weapon at several Heartless in repeated thrusts whilst Asher gave her and Nobody entities the needed assistance.

With his standard arakh in one hand and the Creeper variant in the other, the Dothraki performed a number of standard fighting techniques of his people. Rakharo then swept in and cleaved his one from shoulder to navel before going around one of the heavy set enemies to deliver a number of strikes at the exposed backside. Before long, the fighter was knocked back and tumbled briefly across the dirt in retaliation by the one opponent. Rakharo recovered as best as possible, rushing in, sliding around the enemy before jumping to swipe his Creeper weapon across the Heartless' head to kill it. Once landing on his feet, the Dothraki went over to assist his sellsword and Nobody allies.

With their present foes destroyed, the group went off to begin assisting everyone as much as possible all the while seeking to find Daenerys in order to protect her from her revived brother.

Speaking of, Dany was having difficulty with the Heartless.

The Targaryen princess has no battle experience under her metaphorical belt. All she has is her training from both Xion and her husband and only that can go so far. Not to mention with her pregnancy, she is rather restricted in moving in a proper manner in the fighting styles she learned in these past months.

Such a thing didn't matter as Daenerys had to fight for her life here and now.

As this surprise attack began, time resurfaced when she first experienced being within the Heartless' presence. How scared she was and how vulnerable she was. How she didn't have a proper means of protecting herself as she had to flee for her life.

In the present, history repeated itself as she had to run, not just for her safety but for her unborn child. It made her now feel like how all of the Lhazareen felt yesterday when the Dothraki hordes came into their land, making the locals feel utter fear among other emotions.

Jorah was with her along with some bloodriders to help on the burden, yet some of her Dothraki protectors fell to these creatures. She sought to pull her own weight and at least fight to a degree before Xion could arrive and save them.

This changed when these silvery-gray entities appeared and fought the Heartless.

She heard tales of these creatures from her dear friend, about these Nobodies. The Targaryen didn't know if these were genuinely allies, but she had to put her trust in these creatures helping her, Jorah and everyone else.

Proof of this soon came when some of these entities shifted into weapons and shields for others to wield, all the while cooperating in fending off the invaders.

A Creeper longsword -wielded by Jorah the Andal- cleaved through one Heartless before spinning around to thrust his sword into another. He tried covering the Khaleesi as best he could, but was knocked aside by a foe who came from his blind side. Before it could go in for a possible fatal blow, the Targaryen princess came in and swung her Nobody themed weapon at the enemy a few times. It sought to retaliate, but a Dragoon swept in and delivered a few spear thrusts before repeating the action towards others surrounding them.

One exiled helped get the other back onto his feet, who gave her an appreciated nod.

The pair soon heard familiar sounds nearby which prompted them to investigate whilst finding a safer place to perhaps bunker down until this was all over.

Coming near the Lhazareen temple, the two exiles found Xion battling someone in draconic styled armor. The greater Nobody casted a Firaga Burst, which her opponent either blocked with his shield, cleaved through his sword or quickly summoned a Heartless and used it as a meat shield to cover him. Soon enough, Xion focused on him and fired off a Ragnarok Shotlock to bombard him and summoned Heartless from all sides. As the draconic enemy was off focused, she zoomed right in like a trail of light, crashing into him with her blade soon meeting with his. He gave out a roar, darkness erupting from his form with gold and black flames now coating both his shield and sword.

"Who is that fighter?"

"I don't know, Khaleesi. But we need to find others to help her."

"What do you mean, Ser Jorah? She looks like-"

"You cannot presume such naivety. Xion is struggling and needs the desired help."

"Like who?"

"Who else amongst the khalasaar is the best fighter who may turn the tide with this conflict?"

Dany got the idea on who the Mormont was referring to.

The pair soon left to find Drogo, but not before Dany looked back at the Xion thrusting her arm forward, silently commanding a number of lesser Nobodies to assist her with her present opponent.

The princess silently prayed for her friend to be safe a bit longer before she got the desired additional strength.

Though she did wonder who the man her dear friend was combating against. Something within her told her she knew him somehow and that was worrisome.

Nobodies swarmed Viserys, seeking to immobilize him or take him out. Yet his dark sword and shield made it difficult. Not to mention whatever gold and black flames which came off of him had them back off when some of their numbers were destroyed.

"I've had enough of these things!" Screeched Viserys.

"Then why not face me yourself."

Dany's tainted brother sneered. "Glady."

Thrusting his sword forward, he shot a jet of flames. Instead of bearing the colors of typical fire, these were of gold and black.

Xion somersaulted away from the pillar of flames. Upon landing safely away, she swung Kingdom Key hard. With each swing, arcs of light shot out and homed right at Viserys. The Heartless Defender shield did its work in protecting its owner but the force of the blows caused him to skid back. Soon enough he retaliated by swinging his sword and sending out arcs of darkness right back at her. She hoisted her Keyblade up to block or parry the blows.

Xion quickly spun, following her momentum to duck and weave around the sword swing while also retaliating with her own. Slow in movement, Viserys wasn't able to block the entirety of the attack quick enough as his head was harshly smacked by the Keyblade.

The offending Targaryen stumbled over from the hit. He snarled and gave a silent command to his army to come in and assist him.

From all over the area, the Heartless dropped their attack towards the Lhazareen and Khalasaar and converged at Viserys' location; either by sinking into darkened pools, flight or charging.

This became noticeable for Xion, seeing more enemies appearing, seeking to overwhelm her. In turn, she gave out the silent command for any available Nobodies to come to her to even the odds.

In the meantime, No. i soon flew, bombarding the battlefield like a bright comet. Each time she crashed down, she struck Viserys and his Heartless horde hard; sending them away and crashing into any and all nearby buildings for added damage. He sought to retaliate, but was too slow to hit her as she rushed away before repeating the same actions over and over again.

Swing after swing, thrust after thrust, parry after parry, counter after counter. Viserys and Xion were involved with what could be considered a dance of violence, or at least a poor attempt at it. Blows often landed, but in Xion's favor much to Viserys' annoyance; for he was a bad dance partner.

"Hold still, dammit!" He howled.

"Make me." She taunted.

Viserys growled.

"I'm tired of these tricks of yours."

"Then do something about it." Xion challenged him.

Xion thus unleashed her Limit Break, Event Horizon. Rapidly darting around the area, her Keyblade was enveloped in light, slashing away with great strength. Upon bounding elsewhere, she unleashed four thin pillars of light which shot outwards, dealing heavy damage in their wake.

Much can be attested to this when various Heartless were destroyed upon being impacted by her Limit Break.

Things changed when an explosion erupted from the ground, causing the tainted Targaryen to momentarily be airborne, due to Xion quickly casting a Seeker Mine spell. This gave her the opportunity to hone in and deliver a series of blows against her friend's abusive brother that were rapid and frantic. Her Ars Arcanum technique does its intention in assaulting her opponent as much as possible. She then brought her Keyblade down in a cleaving motion down hard on Viserys' back. He harshly crashed down to the ground with Xion leaping back some feet away.

As the dust settled, Xion could see Viserys seething whilst appearing tired as much as she was. His shield was barely being held onto by this point while using his sword as a makeshift crutch to hold himself upright.

"Was it worth it?" She asked him. "All of this?"

"Yes." Said the tainted Targaryen. "I had- no, needed to do this."

"For what? A throne?"

"For vengeance for my family."

"No. More like vengeance on your pride."

"I have the power so I may retake what is mine!"

"Power, unearned, can be a very volatile force, Viserys. It'll get the best of you. Over here, Westeros or in the darkness." She stared down at her opponent with sharpened eyes. "I thought I'd pity you, but you aren't worth it. You just don't get it at all."

Viserys scoffed. "I don't need your pity."

Before Viserys could resume the fight, he was struck hard from the side and skidded back. He glared at his attacker and saw it was his so-called "good-brother".

Drogo appeared a tad battered, but nothing he hadn't experienced before when being overwhelmed. He hotly glared at Viserys while having his hand tightly gripping his Valyrian steel arakh.

"I was wondering where you were at." Viserys said happily before biting out a sneer. Summoning some Heartless by his side, he didn't sick them upon his new foe. Instead, they were quickly drawn into the Targaryen's darkness. And through this, he seemed to be revitalized to a degree. "Now I can finally do what I should've done long ago."

The Khal dashed forward, roaring at his "good-brother" and seeking to end him.

Off to the side, Xion witnessed this and let out a frustrated groan. "Oh, now that's so unfair."

The Keybearer sought to go in and join Drogo in fighting against Viserys. Oddly enough, he could help turn the tide of the battle with him bearing great combat experience and a magical blade. Yet her attempt was thwarted with many Heartless getting in her way.

A volley of spells was cast left and right, destroying her enemies in order to gain ground. The Nobodies she summoned were of great assistance, but things were slowly coming to a stalemate with neither gaining ground.

Magic soon flared to life around Xion before she leaped into the air. Rearing Kingdom Key back, she called upon the power from the stars before thrusting it to the earth. At that instance, so many Heartless were weighed down and flattened by the Nobody's Graviga spell. With the amount of power she put into it, she felt drained with how many Heartless were destroyed in the process.

The way was clear, for the time being. Xion then rushed forward with the lesser Nobodies covering for her as best as possible.

The fight between Drogo and Viserys was elsewhere now, making things a tad difficult for the former Organization member.

As this went on, Viserys was more or less enjoying his time combating the Khal. He was putting the savage in his place by making things more difficult for him to land a hit or get remotely close.

Of course he soon grew tired of Drogo, deciding it was time to finish off this mongrel once and for all.

With a silent command, he ordered the Heartless to swarm and take care of the Dothraki.

The Khal was swiftly overwhelmed, dogpiled by the Heartless. His attempts of breaking free were all for naught as he soon felt his legs snap or be pierced by the dark creatures whilst his arms were restrained. Before long, many Heartless got off of him before presenting Drogo to the Targaryen they've associated themselves with.

Viserys bore a pleased expression, seeing the mighty Khal down on his knees and practically helpless before him.

"Now this is poetic. You are like how I was back at your savage hole. Justice shall be served here and now." The tainted Targaryen stabbed his sword into the dirt before walking up to his "good brother". "I, Viserys III Targaryen; King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, and Lord of the Seven Kingdoms sentence you to death for your crimes against me. Any last words?"

Drogo spat out curses that Viserys would never understand as the Dothraki tongue was beneath him to know of.

"Very well. And now I'm taking what's mine." Viserys reared his hand back with a sickening smile. "You took my life, so I'll take yours."

At an instant, he thrusted his hand down and pierced through the held-down Khal. From the other side of Drogo's body was a beating heart held by the tainted Targaryen's hand. Viserys then ripped out the arm and held a gleeful expression when seeing the savage topple over dead.

"I would add you to my forces as a Heartless, but you don't deserve such privilege."

With that said, Viserys crushed the heart by dropping it to the earth and harshly stomping at it.

By the time this happened, Xion arrived and saw him dead. Dany's husband lying motionless with his blood claiming the dirt.

'Dammit.' She cursed silently.

There were conflicting feelings welling inside of her once seeing this happen. One being a sad sense of relief of seeing the Khal dead with Dany no longer bound to him by marriage, just as they wanted. The other was frustration, among other things, due to them needing Drogo in helping take care of this mess.

Her mind and blue eyes were too focused on the dead Khal that did she not realize something until it was too late. Viserys dashed forward and bashed Xion hard against the side.

The greater Nobody sought to regain her footing and balance. It was hard, due to the surprise attack which was her own fault for not being focused that a battle still waged on.

His assault was relentless with the shield strikes leaving her briefly dizzy. The scruff of her coat was harshly grabbed before she was thrown with a powered sword swing which struck her hard and sent her flying.

Crashing near a well, Xion struggled to get back up with a glare soon aimed back towards her opponent.

"I'll give you one final chance, Xion. I'll overlook these transgressions upon me if you leave these savages and join me as part of my Kingsguard. Help me in delivering my vengeance against those who wronged my House."

"You're delusional if you think I'll comply that easily."

Seeing Xion refuse him made him growl in disappointment.

'Perhaps that other Keybearer Illyrio told me may be a better option.' Thought Viserys. 'Though it remains to be seen if he hasn't been tainted by the Usurper and his dogs to oppose me like this wench.'

"Tell me something, Viserys." Xion questioned aloud, breaking him out of his thoughts. "Do you hate Dany?"

He looked at her as if she was stupid. "And why would I hate her? She's my sister-"

"Sorry, I meant to ask if you fear her."

"...What did you just say?"

"For all the time I've been by her side, I've pondered on this. All the abuse, both physical and verbal. Such means of demeaning and belittling her. All that time, venting out your agressions to your only kin."

"Shut up."

"You protected her since you both were thrown out of the Sea Lord's home, I'll give you that. But after coming into Illyio's care, what changed? What made the kind and caring brother into the bastard before me now?"

"Shut up!"

"One just doesn't hate one's sibling out of nowhere without reason. Then I figured it's all because of jealousy. I don't know when it began, but I saw it throughout the time of me beside her. Her becoming strong and her breaking away from you. Her gaining things which you never obtained before, all because you were scared of not living up to your family's legacy and doing it all yourself."

"SHUT UP!"

"No! You shut up you whiny, pathetic excuse of a snake! If you think you can lay a hand on her since you came back, then you've got another thing coming. You may have killed Drogo, but I'll be in your way."

From her pocket, the seashell keychain she procured from Vaes Dothrak started to shine. In mere moments, it faded away from its confinement.

"Dany is my friend and I promised I would not leave her. I lost enough friends already and I won't lose another because of you or anyone else!"

As this was being spoken, Xion's Kingdom Key was encompassed in a pillar of light as the Keyblade started to change. Water from the well shot out and swirled around the weapon rapidly as the shape began to morph into something much more unique than the skeletal base design of her old Keyblade.

Viserys' eyes widened momentarily for a brief bit of surprise, due to him being caught off guard. Xion soon realized what was happening and saw the changes being done to her Keyblade as she soon saw something new was within her grasp.

The Keyblade was reminiscent of cresting waves, both along the shaft and at the teeth as it seemed to glow like crystallized sapphire water. The heart-shaped hilt was surrounded by some smaller bits of water with a leather handle in the middle. And hanging off from the pommel was the seashell keychain.

"Pretty..." Xion muttered to herself.

Seashell Resonance, a name that seemed to pop into her head. One that suited this Keyblade quite marvelously. Such a shame she couldn't marvel at her new Keyblade any further as she heard Viserys' growing yell as he charged right at her.

She somersaulted at that instant. Getting some distance away, she cast a Triple Blizzara which knocked him back before momentarily freezing him in place on the third. Xion thus rushed forward and delivered a series of blows that had him crash into a cart full of wine and other alcoholic drinks.

Despite having this new Keyblade, she may have gained a disadvantage as she hardly has any water around to manipulate, given the present environment. Thus she had to rely on conjuring her own to use or use what liquids were available.

Casting Watera, a ball of liquid shot out of her Keyblade's tip and struck Viserys hard. It wasn't the only one as a volley of Water Shots struck him one after another. With the Targaryen drenched, Xion cast Thundara which electrocuted him badly.

Whilst her opponent was recovering and coming right at her, she cast a Mine Barrier when he got close. When he came in to strike her down, she cast Barrier to protect her from both the offending attack and the coming point-blank explosion. The moment her defense broke, she sent out a Counter Blast. With both that and the earlier conjured Mine spell finally going off, Viserys was sent flying away with a painful howl.

Not wanting to let up, Xion went after him and thrusted her Keyblade forward. Lights and water particles gathered from the air assembled at the tip of her weapon while she focused long and hard on Viserys' form.

Before Viserys impacted the earth, Xion unleashed her Shotlock. The magical orb exploded as shining projectiles shot and homed into Xion's opponent from all sides.

Rushing towards him, Seashell Resonance glowed with light surrounding it. It became sharper and denser with every moment getting closer to its target.

Once getting past his defenses, she swung her weapon at an upward motion-

*SLICK-KLANG*

The sound of flesh and possibly metal being cut through rang out across the area. Viserys' arm flew high into the air, having been cut all the way at the shoulder. Xion stood behind him with her back at him with her Keyblade extended out and away towards the air at an angle.

"AAARGH! YOU FUCKING WHORE!" Viserys yelled furiously.

*SLAP*

In an odd form of comedic retribution, his severed arm came down with the palm slapping himself across his head. The action caused the tainted Targaryen to collapse onto the ground with his blood leaking from his wound claiming the dirt.

He soon heard her approach.

"Had enough?"

From the ground, Viserys shot his head towards her and hotly glared at Xion with the utmost hate he could muster.

"Don't you dare MOCK ME!"

With this yell, darkness erupted from the ground and enveloped him like some sort of cocoon.

The moment this occurred, all of the Heartless within the entire area began converging to the darkened mass; not by their own violation but by force.

Each was taken and absorbed. The cocoon rapidly enlarged and condensed several times before finalizing itself some dozen feet high in terms of size.

The orb of darkness cracked and broke apart, like an egg. From it came a large form of what Viserys now became.

In his overall appearance, he became a dragon courtesy of the Heartless.

Viserys' form was oily and sleek. The head was long and elongated with some horns coming out of his lower jaw. There was a golden headcrest that went out to form a pair of twisted horns at the sides of its head. At the center of the head-crest were a series of smaller horns forming some distorted crown. Spiney horns jetted out along his spine all the way towards the tip of his sharp tail. A pair of stunted and deformed leathery wings came out of his back which made this dragon different from past depictions of the front legs being the wings. And the Heartless emblem was now seen at the base of the dragon form's long neck.

"Bask in my glory as you now face a true dragon!"

The voice was distorted, bestial to sound but it was all the same with the arrogant mannerisms.

Viserys wasn't just any emblem Heartless, losing himself to the primal urges as such a creature. No, Daenerys' brother was conscious within his present form and was in control somehow.

'He's like Maleficent now, but worse.' She thought in comparison.

To prove this point, gold and black flames jetted out of the open maw, burning many new onlookers in his wake. Their screams filled the air before they were soon snuffed out, just like their lives. And it was hard to tell if their Hearts were taken or not when they were struck down by the Heartless dragon flames.

Chaos further ensued with Viserys going on a rampage now, wanting to take out everything within the area.

'At least he can't fly with those poor excuses of wings. Saves some trouble on a number of factors.' Were her commented thoughts.

Before rushing in to stop this, she felt her arm tug slightly. Looking over, she saw a Dusk holding up an Elixir towards her, prompting her to take it.

She smiled and nodded in thanks before taking it, crushing it in her hand and absorbing the material. Her form glowed gold before it receded, having her feel re-energized.

With this done, she gave an order to the Nobodies to help the people get away. She then focused on Viserys' head more and more by the second as her form glowed once more. Activating Flowmotion, she zoomed right at the Heartless with her Keyblade at the ready.

Upon colliding against the head, Xion performed a backflip before letting loose an array of sword swings and strikes.

The tainted Targaryen roared, seeking to burn the greater Nobody alive. Before it could happen, Xion cast Blizzaga right into the open maw. From that, an explosion of ice encompassed the orifice, making Viserys widen his draconic eyes as he felt pain along with complications.

From many onlookers, they saw a giant chunk of ice entrapped in and partially around the mouth. Viserys flailed his head to and fro, trying to get rid himself of his present issue.

"Found a way to shut him up."

Looking around to figure out her next move, Xion practically froze in place when seeing a familiar set of individuals near. This prompted her to rush over to them.

"What are you guys still doing here? You need to leave now!"

"We're trying to find any stragglers-" Said Jorah.

"And you." Dany finished by interrupting.

"I appreciate it, but you guys are not safe here."

"No shit." Asher muttered aloud, eyeing the Heartless dragon flailing about some distance away. "I'd rather not be anywhere close to that thing."

Rakharo soon voiced a question floating around in his mind for a while. "Where's Drogo?" He asked in his native tongue. "We tried finding him-"

"Drogo's dead."

Xion's words brought a number of reactions from the group. Obviously, the Dothraki amongst them voiced his response first in the broken, basic tongue.

"The Heartless?"

"Close. We were separated in order to not work alongside each other."

"Then who-?"

"Viserys."

"And where's Viserys?" Asked Beskha. "Weren't you fighting him?"

Jorah and Dany were confused beyond measure when hearing this.

"Wait, what? Viserys?"

"He's back, courtesy of the Heartless." Xion answered quickly.

"Where is he now?" Asked Asher.

Dragon flames soon erupted from Viserys' maw, finally melting the last of the chunk of ice entrapping him in a manner. He swerved his head a little from side to side before landing on his opponent.

"You'll pay for that!"

Hearing the voice coming from the dragon, all of the others bore expressions of shocked disbelief.

"That would be him." Xion said dryly.

Thunderous stomps soon came right towards them, causing Xion to quickly cast Aeroga to knock the others away for their own safety. From the corner of her eye as she leapt away, she spotted Jorah having to protect Dany from the tumble following fall.

Focusing back to Viserys, she fired off a volley of Fire spells right at him in hopes of having his attention kept towards her and not on them. And it seemed to work.

"Flames cannot harm a true dragon!" Boasted Viserys with a roaring cackle.

"So you say."

Before the tainted Targaryen could speak back a further response, he saw movement from the corner of his eye. Instinctively, he swerved his head over and opened his maw. Soon enough, the Dragonfire went towards Xion's friends and close comrades.

Xion pointed her Keyblade at them and called out a spell. "Shell!"

A green aura surrounded the group, protecting them from the attack as it was absorbed all before it faded away into nothingness.

The dragon blinked in mild confusion, seeing he didn't roast these individuals at all. That was before focusing on a particular person amongst the group. If possible, he would've smiled a toothy grin.

"Daenerys, it's been so~ long." Viserys said coyly. "Let me embrace you."

The Khaleesi sought to run but was swiftly snatched by the dragon. The others tried to interfere, but they were smacked away by Viserys' other hand or his swishing tail.

Lifted up into the air, Dany struggled in place as she soon screamed out in pain with her feeling constricted.

"Get away from her!"

Light struck many sides of his head, Viserys flailed in pain from the assault. This had him let go of his sister, who screamed upon falling from such a drastic height. Though she was saved as she was tackled by Xion, who soon protected her as best as possible by casting Barrier around them to break most of the fall. They tumbled on the landing and came to a harsh stop some moments later.

Xion looked over to her friend, who was racking in pain from what just occurred. She quickly cast Cura, hoping it may help whatever injuries Dany received.

Stomps were soon heard, having Xion look over to see Viserys coming towards them.

"I was so looking forward to my reunion and you just had to ruin it."

"It's clear she doesn't want to be a part of any kind of reunion with you."

The dragon Heartless said nothing, only rearing his arm back and soon bringing it down in wanting to crush both his sister and the Keybearer.

The others some distance away cried out upon witnessing this as they were more or less rushing over in hopes of getting there in time.

Dany became frightened and clung to Xion, who held her in a defensive embrace.

…..

…..

…..

Neither Xion nor Dany felt anything. All they heard were bestial grunts coming from the draconic Heartless seeking to end them both.

"What is the meaning of this!?"

Cracking their eyes open, both girls saw something odd occurring with Viserys struggling to move his one arm.

It was then they saw an odd shimmer of light coming off of something.

There was a long, glistening string wrapped around the dragon's arm. It all led back to an entity that appeared roughly around Dany and Xion's height and size.

Its color palette was primarily gray and purple with the white Nobody sigil on its blank face. Pieces that were black were located around each and every joint of the body along with the shoulder guards, tattered cloth around its waist and the large sharp cross attached to the back.

While the draconic Heartless didn't have a clue what interfered, Dany and Xion did as it was a lesser Nobody. Yet this was a type the former Organization member never saw before.

Viserys sought to attack again with his other arm, but said limb was quickly ensnared when another one of those new Nobodies appeared and wrapped it up with its wire. The changed Targaryen roared in defiance, trying to free himself, but more appeared to restrain his movements.

"What are you?" Xion asked in bewilderment.

The new Nobody type that was closest to them drifted over to them and it almost seemed as though it were happy or pretending to remember how to be happy as it went up to Xion in particular. It bobbed up and down around her, a thrumming and humming sensation being heard coming from this Nobody.

"A... Marionette?"

The identified Marionette bobbed its head once more and awaited for any new orders.

A storm of feet was soon acknowledged when their owners came over to Xion and Dany whilst helping them up onto their feet.

The Keybearer merely looked at the arriving group for a brief moment before seeing Viserys roaring and letting out dragonflame from his maw. The Marionettes holding him down were soon forced to back away for their safety and keep him ensnared. Yet the attempts were slowly failing with them becoming overpowered.

Realizing what needed to be done, Xion looked back to the others and gave a stern request.

"Get her out of here."

Jorah nodded, soon bringing the Khaleesi into his arms in a bridal carry.

"No… Xion." Dany said out of grunted pain.

Being carted away by the others -with the Nobodies providing cover- the pregnant Targaryen soon passed out from the growing pain in her stomach with her friend being the last thing present on her mind.

Xion looked away from their retreating forms and focused back to Viserys, who had finally broken free from his brief time of confinement. His eyes focused on the Keybearer, hotly glaring her with so much hate emanating off his very being.

"Why won't you just surrender and die already!?"

Xion stared at him, defiantly. "Oblivion can have me when it earns me."

She honestly didn't know if she could handle Viserys on her own in his present state. Even with her new Keyblade, she doubts she can take him down easily on her own.

"I need help." She muttered to herself. "Any help would suffice. I have to go on for their sake."

As if answering a call, something happened.

No. i felt an odd sensation from underneath her coat. The charm she wore around her neck was giving out an odd feeling. She momentarily fished it out and saw the gradient metal shine more and more.

A large orb of light appeared diagonally above Xion's form. Glyphs and runes circled around it before they and the orb disappeared in a thick multicolored plumb of smoke and flower petals. When it dispersed, it revealed someone rather tall.

The new arrival looked similar to a Samurai Nobody with kimono bell sleeves, the umanori hakama, zori and tabi styled clothing instead of an altered jumpsuit. Things were different because the color palette was not silvery-gray like a Nobody but more colorful from yellows, oranges, purples and reds with depictions of clouds and dragons on the cloth over some white undergarments hinted underneath. On the footwear were a pair of straw sandals with some cloth covering the feet like a pair of socks. There was a straw hat being worn and obscuring most of the individual's head, but if looking underneath, one could see an ornate mask with green eyeholes. Said mask matched the stylized shoulder pauldrons and thin metal gloves they wore. To finish things off, there was a wakizashi and katana tied to the person's side with a white handle with respective long tassels with gradient cloth and fibers like the rest of their attire tied along their hilts.

As she looked at the individual, they looked back.

"Yojimbo will serve you well."

Xion blinked in confusion when hearing this spoken in her head. She then came to a realization as she composed herself.

She honestly should've realized this sooner, she had been given a Summoning Charm by that odd clerk.

-Insert Kingdom Hearts III: Vector to the Heavens-

Getting into her battle stance, Xion spoke. "Let's do this, Yojimbo."

The ronin summon nodded in compliance.

Ethereal gears appeared around her and Yojimbo upon casting Haste. Their movements would become faster with what's to come.

Rearing his head back, Viserys shot it forward, letting loose a stream of flames from his open maw. Moving it to and fro in the attempt of roasting his foes alive.

As they ran, Yojimbo withdrew his katana -Zanmato- from its sheath. Its black and red blade gleaned in the sun. The swipe of his blade was so quick, a pair of cuts appeared alongside the dragon's hide. More soon followed before leaping back to avoid some of Viserys' limbs trying to crush him. And he kept on attacking as he ran all about.

As the Ronin summon was preoccupying the dragon, Xion was able to get onto Viserys' back. Rushing along the length, she brought bolts of lightning down onto the dragon's back with Thundaga. The massive Heartless roared from the added sense of pain he was experiencing. Before long, the greater Nobody leaped off the neck and brought Seashell Resonance down hard upon the head, sending it crashing down to the earth.

With the head brought to a closer level, Yojimbo went to work alongside his summoner.

Her form thus flashed momentarily, thrusting her Keyblade forward and went through a variant of the Sonic Blade attack she named Corkscrew Rave. Her spinning body struck Viserys, going into a 90 degree angle upwards before spinning down again for another hit, angling herself to fly away from the tainted Targaryen before repeating the process another dozen more times.

Meanwhile, Yojimbo kept up with his assault with a flurry of sword swings left and right. With the number of attacks done, the Zanmato rested upon Yojimbo's shoulder as he ran away at a fast pace to access his next move.

For instance -once Viserys finally brought up his head in order to let loose a stream of fire- Yojimbo withdrew several daggers from his kimono. With a swipe of his hand, the small blades flew and struck Viserys' head hard. One of which was able to pierce some of the soft reptilian flesh, earning a howling roar.

The Heartless sought vengeance, retaliating by stomping all over and swishing his tail left and right like a spoiled child in the attempt of harming his enemies. Waves of darkness emanate from each impact, which had the Nobody and the Summon leap over them. He even went so far as to jump into the air before slamming himself down to the earth to cause a mild earthquake with a massive dark wave emanating from his form. After all that, Viserys spun all over, letting loose dragon flame from his maw for added insurance.

This factor didn't exactly work with Xion casting Barrier around them when possible and holding it up to deal with the attack.

As this came to an end, Yojimbo dashed forward while Xion made the occasional role but not without purpose. For every time she rolled, she quickly made a series of Mine spells upon the dirt for Viserys to set off. The pair were getting in close, causing Viserys to stomp down and crush them. Yet each time he did, explosions went off left and right, causing further harm in the process.

Upon getting to a good spot, Yojimbo went back to work.

Rearing his katana back, the ronin summon rushed forward for a lunging attack on the hind legs. If that wasn't enough, he thrusted his blade into the earth. Lights gathered around him as a surge of power erupted from where he stood and harmed the dragon in his wake from the underbelly.

Bellows and roars went off from Viserys' maw. He spun around, several times in fact, using his tail to harm his enemies.

The attacks were swift, causing Xion to hold up Seashell Resonance to block the few hits which caused her to send her flying. Though she recovered midair before gliding around and casting the occasional Thunder, Aero and Blizzard spell to help take care of things.

As for the Ronin, he kept up his assault of running around the hind legs and arms, cutting them up as much as possible before having to run away for safety.

"It's time to end this." She muttered aloud, landing some good distance away.

She channeled her power into her Keyblade until reaching its limit. Geysers of light appeared all around her as this was happening. Once it all reached its apex, Xion unleashed it all. Instead of thrusting it at her enemy, she went towards the sky.

The light shot out of the tip of Seashell Resonance like a massive lance, piercing the heavens. And from the strike, the sky shifted and turned from the time of the early day with the standard blue sky to something else entirely.

To the amazement of everyone in the land, they were now seeing a brilliant series of colors; ones which were heavily predominant for a magnificent and perpetual twilight sunrise.

"What… what sorcery is this?"

"By the gods…"

"How is this possible?"

Jorah could practically agree in wanting to voice such questions upon witnessing this. Yet he was having trouble now when he felt something sticky and wet from his one hand.

Maneuvering Daenerys around, he pulled up his hand and widened his eyes in worry.

"We need to find a healer, now!"

Upon witnessing this spectacle in the sky, Viserys felt something within him grow a sense of fear and worry. The darkness inside of him was practically screaming at him to kill the Keybearer.

He complied and sought to end her right here and now.

Seeing Viserys charging right at her, Xion unleashed her Limit Break -Event Horizon- once more. Rapidly darting around the area, her Keyblade was enveloped in light, slashing away with great strength. Upon bounding elsewhere, she unleashed four thin pillars of light which shot outwards, dealing heavy damage in their wake.

As this occurred, Yojimbo jumped into the air and spun several times as he was carving into Viserys' dragon hide. His katana -Zanmato- began glowing an eerie magenta light as this went on

Upon landing, Yojimbo grasped the handle of his main blade. He went into a downward stance before rocketing forward. An instant later, he appeared behind the dragon with the red and black blade drawn out. Viserys blinked in confusion and looked back to the Summon sheathing back his katana. The moment it was fully closed up, Viserys felt a massive pain all over his body with blood and blackened vapors spurting everywhere.

If that wasn't enough, Xion went into action.

Magic coated and sharpened her Keyblade to a fine point. Leaping into the air, she let loose an array of swings which left significant impacts on the draconic Heartless. With the final strike, she cleaved through Viserys' tail which caused quite the impact quake upon hitting the earth.

A painful roar emanated from Viserys. Once more, he hotly glared at the Keybearer after seeing his tail disintegrate into darkened vapors. "You will pay for that!"

An arm was reared back, soon having it crash down to the earth. Yet the blow never landed with Yojimbo appearing with Zanmato drawn out, using the blade to hold back the draconic limb.

Giving the summon an appreciative nod, Xion channeled her magic into her Keyblade, having the power coat and sharpen it once more. She dashed to the side before leaping into the air. With a swipe, she cleaved off one arm before landing on the other side and repeated the same action.

The moment both appendages collapsed onto the ground and began disintegrating, Viserys toppled over.

From the impact, a large quake rolled out upon the vicinity.

Xion was about to go in and finally take care of Viserys for good, but she was too slow on the action. For you see, Viserys used much of his remaining strength to lurch forward, open his maw and gobble the greater Nobody up.

For a brief moment, he believed he had won. But to his shock and horror, he felt massive pain within his mouth with Xion carving up his tongue and surrounding muscles.

The actions forced him to spit her back out.

Instead of being sent flying away, Xion flipped around the maw and landed on top of Viserys' head and plunged her Keyblade into his skull. If that wasn't enough, she flared her magics, coating herself and her weapon as far as she could go.

"This is it."

Rushing forward, she dragged her Seashell Resonance from the skull all the way down the spine right to where the tail used to be. From the Keyblade, a large blade of light emanated from it as she carved her way through the tainted Targaryen.

Upon making her landing, she saw Yojimbo finish things off by holding up his sheathed katana and performing a quick draw right at the dragon's neck. Once snapping his weapon shut, Xion saw Viserys crumbling apart in half first before his head fell elsewhere.

Darkened vapors thus erupted from the now Targaryen as he was now dead for good this time. From his corpse came many Hearts floating into the sky, victims from many who had fallen this day and perhaps even the ones before.

With their enemy defeated, Yojimbo nodded towards his summoner before disappearing into motes of light surrounded by smoke and flower petals.

Breathing heavily, Xion was suddenly hit with exhaustion. She intensely burned herself out, pushing herself to the limit from the fight.

Looking back to the ruined Lhazareen town, she focused on where the others were located. Eventually finding their position, she sought to use a Dark Corridor to get there faster, but she struggled to maintain one from an attempt.

A few more failed attempts appeared to only drain her energy further.

Xion patted down her coat and let out a pained groan, realizing she didn't have any potions, ethers or elixirs of any kind to get her back to strength.

Knowing she couldn't take a shortcut, she had to grumpily take the long way back. With Seashell Resonance on hand, she used it as a crutch to help her move along to her newfound destination.

-Elsewhere-

Riding through the rocky desert of Dorne, Eddard 'Ned' Stark rode his trusted steed alongside Howland Reed and his best men towards their destination off in the distance.

A place known to them as the Tower of Joy.

With what they had learned, this was where his precious sister -Lyanna Stark- was being kept for all this time. With the Rebellion over, the Lord of Winterfell sought to finally rescue her and bring her home.

Rounding the corner, Ned was able to see their destination. And at the foot of it were the three members of the Kingsguard: Ser Oswell Whent, Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning and the White Bull himself Lord Commander Ser Gerold Hightower.

Dismounting, the seven assembled Northerners soon approached the three Kingsguard with determined expressions on their faces.

For some bit of intimidation, even if it was unnecessary, Ser Arthur withdrew his ancestral sword Dawn and stabbed it into the ground before addressing the people before him and his fellow sworn brothers.

"Lord Stark." Came Ser Arthur's greeting.

"Ser Arthur." Ned said in turn. "I looked for you three in the Trident."

"We were not there." Was Gerold's reply.

"Woe to the Usurper if we had been." Added in Oswell.

"Perhaps, perhaps not." Ned said evenly. "When King's Landing fell, I found your sworn brother -Jamie Lannister- had slain your king with his bloodied sword. After that, I wondered where you were."

"Far away." Said Ser Gerold. "Or else Aerys would yet sit on the Throne and our false brother would burn in seven hells."

"I came down on Storm's End to lift the siege," Ned told them, "And the Lords Tyrell and Redwyne dipped their banners, and all their knights bent the knee to pledge us fealty. I was certain you would be among them then."

"Our knees do not bend easily." Arthur said sternly, yet evenly.

"I don't doubt that."

Ned sought to include what occurred with Ser Barristan and Ser Lewyn, of them admitting defeat upon being spared.

"Ser Willem Darry fled to Dragonstone, with your queen and prince Viserys. I thought you might have sailed with them."

"Ser Willem is a good and true man." Said Ser Oswell.

"But not of the Kingsguard." The Lord Commander pointed out. "The Kingsguard does not flee."

"Then or now." Arthur included.

"We swore a vow." Ser Gerold added in.

"Then why weren't you there to protect the queen and Viserys? Or at the Trident to protect Rhaegar?" Ned growled out the inquiry.

"Our prince wanted us here." Was Arthur's answer.

"Even away from Elia and her children!?" Barked out the Quiet Wolf. His foggy gray eyes blazed in momentary fury. "They died because you weren't there to protect them. Was following Rhaegar's orders more important to follow than what any sensible knight should've done?"

There seemed to be no proper responses Ned could see from the Kingsguard when he said this. Either they steeled their resolve or killed any other emotion inside of them. Yet he did see Arthur having some reaction to Ned's words.

The Stark knew Arthur was childhood friends with Elia and was rather close with her. Perhaps even so far as to love her beyond friendship if he remembered it right from Ashara. So there had to be some bits of humanity left inside of the Kingsguard knight.

Taking a deep breath, Ned momentarily looked up to the Tower before looking back down to the three men before him and his fellow Northerners.

"Where's my sister?" Ned asked with an unlaying threatening tone. "Give her back and we'll walk away."

There was a silent beat shared between the two groups until Ser Gerold let out a sigh.

Hearing this, the other two Knigsguard knew the time for talk was over.

"...I wish you good fortunes in the wars to come." Said Ser Arthur, putting on his helmet and fastened it. He then pried his great sword, Dawn, out of the ground and held it at the ready. Its pale milk glass blade shined in the sun. A moment later, he unsheathed his other sword as he went into a dual-wielding stance. "And now it begins."

'Just like magic.' Ned thought with a pained reminder when eyeing the star-forged sword. 'Like Ven's Keyblade.'

The pain he felt of his young friend leaving, despite it having been weeks ago, still felt fresh in his heart. He wished to the Old Gods he could see his old friend once more in better circumstances.

Ned's companions stood beside him, weapons drawn and ready to fight to their last breath. The action was mirrored by Ser Gerold and Ser Oswell as they went into their battle stances.

"No." Said Ned, sadness in his voice. "Now it ends." He withdrew Ice from his scabbard and easily held it. 'Forgive me, Ashara, for what I'm about to do.' Were perhaps his final thoughts.

Howland struck first with his family's ancient trident, but Ser Arthur blocked it. Moments later, he had to block the crannogman's other weapon, a standard short sword, where they soon wrestled for some control. Yet the Dornishman overwhelmed the lord of Greywater Watch, pushed him away and slashed him in the shoulder. The Reed stumbled back but managed to hold up his trident and in time to block the Dayne Knight, quickly retreating afterward.

With this bit of an opening, Ned charged in with Ice, but the Sword of the Morning skillfully used his two swords to block and parry the Valyrian blade.

Ser Gerold killed one of the companions, Ser Mark Ryswell, and tried to take down Ned whilst distracted by his fight with Arthur. Miraculously, Ned saw this and swiftly broke away from the skilled Dornishman to block the blade of the much larger knight.

Whilst Hightower held a considerable size advantage, Ned Stark had been forged and strengthened by the war over the past year. From cavalry charges to fighting the Unversed, Ned had never felt more faster or stronger.

So it came as a surprise to the Commander of the Kingsguard when he was pushed back with considerable strength. Ned went on the offensive and began delivering hammering blows akin to Robert's Warhammer that forced Ser Gerold on the backfoot.

As this went on, Ser Oswell was soon overwhelmed by a few of the other Northerners. As he sought to cut down a few men, another came from the side and stabbed his blade into an opening in the Whent's armor. This crippled him to a degree, yet fought on despite his injury by cutting the offender down. Yet as he was slowly bleeding out, Howland came in and thrusted his sword forward, having the tip stab the one Kingsguard in the eye before thrusting it down with all his might to cleave from eyehole to jaw. Oswell collapsed dead a moment later in the dirt.

Seeing the Kingsguard member dead, Howland soon focused on Ser Arthur alongside his fellow companions.

Ned clashed his sword with Gerold's, the two entering into a brief stalemate with their eyes locking onto one another's. Deep brown and duty-filled eyes were met by a cold, rageful and wolf-like gray.

But the Stark Lord also detected surprise and concern. It was clear for the Wolf Lord to see that the Lord Commander was perhaps not prepared for the sudden overwhelming strength the Warden bore.

"You're stronger than you appear, Lord Stark." Gerold quietly said through gritted teeth.

"War can give you that strength, Ser Gerold." Eddard coldly said.

He pushed the Lord Commander back and the duo engaged in a quick exchange of blades.

Ned blocked another overhead strike.

Gerold shifted his hips back to dodge a horizontal slash.

Stark ducked his head from having it decapitated by Hightower.

Several more clashes of the blade when-

"GURK"

-Ned swiftly parried his opponent's blade before thrusting Ice through Gerold's throat. With the size of his Valyrian blade and the power behind the blow, the Lord Commander's head soon toppled off his body.

Looking around, the Lord Paramount of the North saw the present state of the little battlefield. Him seeing not just Gerold's body at his feet but Oswell's some distance away. From there, he saw Ser Mark Ryswell's body alongside Martyn Cassel's before hearing some bodies collapsing soon after.

It was then that his heart seized up and saw that despite taking out two of the Kingsguard, two more of his friends and companions fell in the midst of their duel against Ser Arthur.

Ethan Glover and Theo Wull were all dead and gone now.

Only Howland Reed and Ser Willam Dustin remained alongside him.

Seeing that this fight would drag on despite having taken out two of the guards, Ned shared a look with Howland and the Lord of the Neck simply nodded at the Warden of the North. Eddard could only give an appreciative glance back at his friend and bannermen.

He took a look over at Willam who was breathing heavily with sweat dripping down his chin.

Gulping slightly, Eddard steeled himself and mentally prepared himself for this final clash.

They returned their focus on the Sword of the Morning and readied themselves for what would undoubtedly be a difficult fight.

Despite the war forging the pair into battle-hardened men, both knew that Ser Arthur Dayne was still the most skilled man with a blade in Westeros. His skill was legendary to the point that the Lords and commoners from Dorne to the Wall itself knew his name.

The odds appeared against the Dornishman, with him being the only one standing. Yet he was able to hold his own this long with so many against him.

Swiftly, Arthur used his blades to defend himself from the continued onslaught. With him being backed towards a hill, he miraculously blocked and parried the offending weapons. He kicked Willam away, who stumbled in his step before his chest was deeply cut by Dawn.

"WILLAM!" Ned cried out in horror, seeing one of his closest companions who had fought alongside him for the entirety of the war, fall before him.

"Ned!" Howland cried out, throwing his arm out with his longer weapon reaching his friend in time to parry the oncoming sword Arthur directed at the Wolf Lord.

Blinking out the shock, Ned swung a ferocious attack that effectively knocked Arthur's other sword out of his hand.

Startled by this, Arthur was quick to regain his composure and jumped back to higher ground.

Ned charged forward, not hearing Howland's calls for him to stop.

Arthur began hastily blocking a multitude of Eddard's attacks and if he couldn't block them, he simply moved out of the way.

He had become far more skilled than he had ever imagined.

The war had turned him into one of the finest warriors in all of Westeros.

But even then, for a man as calculated and skilled as Arthur, all that he needed was one mistake.

He got it when Ned attempted a diagonal slash that ended up with the sword striking the ground. Instinctively, Dayne kicked the wrist of Ned, the Winter Lord grunting in pain from the metal armor on the Knights' foot striking his flesh.

His sword fell from his hand and the wind was knocked out of him from a powerful elbow to the chest.

Eddard crashed upon the ground though he got up in time to see Arthur holding his family's legendary blade over his head.

"Forgive me, Ashara." Was the last words the Stark Lord heard from the Knight.

Just when Dawn came swinging down at the defeated Ned-

*GASP*

-he woke up in fright.

Eyes widened and holding his chest, he did his best to steady his rapidly beating heart.

This dream was the most recurring one he had for all these years. One which haunted him often where he nearly died that very day.

At that moment, Ned wondered where he was at. It was too dark to be in his bedchambers… or anywhere else for that matter.

His hands went down beside him in an effort to get himself back up. At that moment, he felt the rough hay on his palms.

Confusion reigned over him as he further wondered what was going on. All before him soon concluding his present whereabouts

What the King dreams, the Hand builds as many believe it goes. The commoners see it as the King eats and the Hand handles the shit.

Yet both are wrong. For the King dies and the Hand is buried.

This is how Eddard Stark felt when soon realized he was presently in the infamous Black Cells.

Thus he wondered how he wound up here. In which the memories came flooding in.

Him and others being present in the Iron Throne room, addressing King Joffrey and many others of Robert's last proclamation. From there…

'No.' He thought with panic rising.

Many of his men were slain, both by men… and Heartless. Lewyn Martell, his ally, was amongst them. All due to betrayal by both the City Watch and King Joffrey himself, who apparently invited the Heartless into the Red Keep.

Yet they weren't alone on this, for Petyr Baelish was amongst the betrayers.

This made him wonder how this was possible. Littlefinger was supposed to be down in the Black Cells and awaiting to be deported back to the Vale to stand trial for his crimes.

Either some guards were still in his pockets… or worse.

Just as what had transpired began to set in, Ned Stark felt his entire blood turn as freezing cold as any harsh winter in the North.

'My daughters.' He thought with fear and dread consuming his very being. 'Gods please, not my daughters. Not my family. Not again!'

He tried to sit up but winced upon feeling his bones and muscles aching and creaking.

'How long have I been down here?' He internally asked himself, finally able to seat himself upon the haystack that served as his bed.

Ned took a moment further to recollect his thoughts a bit more until he remembered that he had been in this black cell for several days now…

He thinks it to be days. There was no moon, star or sunlight to give a proper distinction of time passing.

The Warden of the North wasn't entirely sure, if he were honest with himself.

These Black Cells lived up to their namesake.

There was nothing in here.

Nothing but the cold and all-enveloping darkness that the cell had. Frankly, Eddard was astonished that the Heartless didn't make a home of this place.

It fit their terrifying motif to the letter.

There was also the fact that he was still alive.

He honestly would have thought his head would have been on a pike by now or his Heart claimed by the Heartless. Yet here he lay in wallowing darkness for an unknown amount of time.

Strange really how little that frightens him.

One would think with everything he had seen and experienced, a dark and lone cell would bring fear into his heart. After all, he couldn't see anything and the Heartless or Unversed can pop up with him being none the wiser and end his existence.

But it did little to plant fear in his heart.

What in fact did give him fear was the status of his daughters. Were they alright? Are they on their way home to Winterfell? Or did something else occur to them?

Such thoughts and more came to an abrupt halt when he heard the door to his cell open with a loud creak. Turning towards the source, he could see a small flicker of light from a torch which got closer and closer. Ned squinted his eyes to adjust to the light and saw a man in blackened turnkey clothes -which obscured much of his features- approach him and knelt.

Once adjusted, gray eyes gazed upon and recognized the Spider.

"Lord Stark, you must be thirsty." Kneeling beside Ned, Varys offers him a skin of water.

"Varys?" Confused and uncertain to trust the eunuch, Ned does not take it.

The Master of Whispers takes note of his hesitation and rolls his eyes.

"I promise you, it isn't poisoned." Varys lets out a sigh in annoyance. "Why is it that no one ever trusts the eunuch?"

The Spymaster lifted up the waterskin to his lips and drank from it to prove himself. Afterwards he again offers it to the Stark patriarch. Ned, who is handcuffed by the wrists, takes the skin and drinks from it rather quickly; for he was rather thirsty now that he thought about it.

"Not so much, My Lord." Varys advised him to save as much as he can during his time in his cell. "I would save the rest, if I were you. Hide it; men have been known to die of thirst in these cells."

A gruesome fate for some, others have been resourceful to last for days and not in a good way.

"What about my daughters?" He asks the eunuch about them first, hoping they were safe.

"The younger one seems to have escaped the castle. Even my little birds cannot find her; oddly enough, even with that direwolf of hers." Varys had to admit, which could either be a good thing or bad if the Heartless and Unversed had snatched her up on the command of Vanitas. But he dared not say so to make the father worry.

Ned was relieved to hear that Arya is seemingly safe for the time being. But what about his eldest daughter?

"And Sansa?"

"Still engaged to Joffrey. Cersei will keep her close and safe, upon Myrcella's insistence." Varys informed him, much to Ned's disapproval with her in the clutches of that prince. But at least now with Cersei somewhat on his side there is some small comfort to it. If only he could somehow send a message to Roxas of the situation. "Most of your household and the Martells, though... dead, it grieves me to say. I do so hate the sight of blood."

Ned gave a hard glare at him for letting this happen. "You watched my men being slaughtered and did nothing. Lewyn Martell was killed by that dark magic the prince used!" The memory was still fresh in his mind, unable to believe it but it happened and the moment word reaches Dorne, House Martell will demand justice just like the end of the Rebellion with Elia and her children.

"And would again, My Lord." Varys gave an obvious response and admitted he was unable to do anything, while astonished by how Joffrey was able to do such a thing. Yet reminds him of the obvious facts of why he did so. "I was unarmed, unarmored and surrounded by Lannister swords and those dark creatures. When you look at me, do you see a hero?"

Reluctantly, Ned admits he had a valid point, yet the bitterness has not left the Lord's face. He says nothing and takes another drink.

A question in Varys' mind soon came out, asking the Stark that led to his imprisonment. "Yet I must ask, what madness did you hold when confronting Joffrey?"

"I didn't know he would've acquired that power. If I did, I would've been quiet, planned and bided my time." Ned gritted out. "Joffrey has become a monster, you saw that the moment he lost control of his emotions when revealed of his true birth. Rumors will spread across the seven kingdoms and many will not stand by to serve him."

Renly will be a problem for his belief that he is best suited for the role, yet isn't as popular as Roxas who has done many noble deeds before and after his betrothal to the princess. And many will question why the younger Baratheon brother wasn't in the capital when this all occurred; especially after taking Loras Tyrell with him, who swore to stay and serve on Roxas' behalf.

As for those in support of Myrcella as the trueborn queen on the other hand, the Martells perhaps but uncertain.

"And with Myrcella the rightful heir, yet threatened by either her brother… or the demon that lurks in the shadows."

"Roxas must return, he is the only one we know that can end this madness before it's too late." That much is certain and no telling what the bastard king would do with such a dangerous power. He could become far worse than the Mad King himself.

"For that we can agree, my lord." Said the Spider. "The kingdoms will not follow a king who can use dark magic for such despicable means, I've seen it many times since the Rebellion. You saw that."

If the bastard prince had somehow come into contact with him, it would make perfect sense to have such ability to control the shadows. Whether this was intentional to demonstrate or perhaps not go as Vanitas had planned it.

"Quite recently, Myrcella is proving she is her father's daughter."

Gray eyes blinked in confusion as they focused more on the Spider in order to explain.

"Court was held not long ago and she had made her emotions clear on the issue upon storming into the throne room. Quite the spectacle, I dare say. Especially upon her calling out her brother's actions in front of everyone in attendance. In a manner, she's already having those in court question Joffrey's legitimacy of his rule as he hasn't been anointed yet."

Some thoughts and emotions ran through the Stark's mind. Pleasantry due to the true heir of the throne started the ball rolling to place further doubt with those in attendance today. Worrisome given his belief that Joffrey's temperament had been flared with what his sister had done in the process.

Though one question did stand above all thoughts.

"Why did you say she proved she was her father's daughter?

Varys bore a smile that showed he was both impressed and concerned. There may be other feelings behind the gesture, but it's hard to tell at this time.

"In all honesty, I didn't know if she channeled more of her father, mother or both when she struck him several times. And not once could Joffrey act out, like when Robert struck him in the past."

That got a small smile on Ned's face.

"Dangerous and risky, I know, but the gods appear to favor her; saving her from death. All I wonder now is how long that luck shall last."

Ned glances at Varys, looking thoughtful but also still looking bitter. Wondering if he knows about the princess' royal heritage.

"Unlike her, I trust you know you're a dead man, Lord Eddard?"

He didn't respond to the eunuch's query, instead giving him an intense and hard gaze.

"Tell me something, Varys." Ned questioned him of his objective in all this. "Who do you truly serve?"

Varys turns back to face Ned, who still wore the bittered look.

"The realm, my lord." Varys answered resolutely. "Someone must." The spymaster makes his exit from the Black Cells, once again leaving the former Hand alone and in total darkness.

With him alone now, Ned was satisfied with what answers he desired. But not everything was given to him. He figured Varys didn't have enough time to spare and answer anything else. Much less the ample opportunity of perhaps smuggling the Warden out. Yet that may prove difficult in a great number of ways if the attempt were to be made.

Being presently conscious, Ned closed his eyes and focused on a particular feeling. One he learnt days ago before the capital fell into chaos.

After several moments, he opened his eyes to see the brief flash of silvery-white vapors in his cell before darkness took hold of his sight.

With the Dusk Nobody summoned, the Stark gave it a message to relay back to its master. If not to Roxas, then to people most loyal and who he can trust.

Ned will not leave and get himself smuggled out if his daughters were still in danger. His absence would only make things worse.

But that doesn't mean he can't get a message out in his own way.

-Unknown-

Wings shadowed her fever dreams.

She was walking down a long hall beneath high stone arches. She could not look behind her, must not look behind her. The feeling inside her told her so.

There was a door ahead of her, tiny in the distance, but even from afar she saw it was painted red. A sense of yearning drove her to move faster.

"You don't want to wake the dragon, do you?"

She could hear her brother's voice again, either from memory or dream.

Approaching the door, she opened it with glee hoping she could find a familiar place after all these years. A place lavished with tapestries, furniture, exotic goods, smells of the sea surrounding Braavos and the lemon tree outside of her old bedroom window. A time that was simpler for her with Ser Willem Darry, a kinder Viserys and practically no one else.

Instead, she found herself at the Dothraki sea, living plain, rich with the smells of earth and death. Wind stirred the grasses and they rippled like water. Amongst them were faces she's known for these past months from some of the khas, her handmaidens, Jorah, Beskha, Jorah, Drogo and Xion.

Wasn't she supposed to dream of home instead of here?

"Home is where the heart is. And my friends are my home..."

She heard Xion's voice in the air, seemingly clearing what confusion she bore. Yet it didn't seem to satisfy her for some reason.

When she turned, she saw great wings crossing the sky, and the Dothraki Sea took to flame with all these people with it.

She took off in fright, feeling the dark from the flames behind her. She was scared, she didn't want to lose herself in the dark.

She practically skidded and toppled on the dirt when the dark caught up to her. Looking up, she saw a dark dragon, menacing and dangerous. It bellowed and roared, seeking to set her aflame as everyone else.

"I am the dragon! You do not command me!"

She heard her brother's voice coming from the dragon and perhaps echoing another voice as well. It was hard to tell how frightful and powerless she was.

Before she knew it, something clashed with the menacing monstrosity before her. Taking a look at it, she saw someone tall and proud, with Drogo's copper skin and her own silver-god hair, violet eyes shaped like almonds.

He smiled at her, hefting her up onto her feet before saying something inaudible but she knew he wanted her to get away. She protested, not wanting to leave him, but he went off to face the dark dragon. Yet he wasn't alone as a dark figure joined him with a familiar-looking sword.

She could feel the cold surrounding them, promising death that was more than death. She could feel the heat inside her, a terrible burning in her womb.

Before she knew it, the three clashed and extinguished themselves in the process.

Her tears turned to steam where they touched her skin. A knife of pain ripped down both her heart and back, an instant later she found herself in the air and she flew. Instead of basking in joy, she let out screeches of sorrow. And from her throat were roars of agony.

Then she woke up to the taste of ashes in her mouth with faint smells of blood in the air.

As she stirred, Dany felt strange.

There were blankets all over her, making her feel entrapped. A means of making her feel comfortable and warm, yet she didn't at this time.

Why did she feel lighter? Why did she feel like a piece of her was missing?

Opening and closing her mouth, she soon felt it dry. She sought water, which she soon found nearby her makeshift bed. She weakly reached out to a small bowl once situating herself up.

She honestly felt like death washed over her and didn't want to get up at all.

At that moment, she could faintly hear the tent flaps flutter open with someone entering.

"Dany…" She heard Xion say. The Targaryen then felt her grasp her gently. "Easy…"

"My… throat…" The Khaleesi rasped out.

Xion nodded and poured her a bowl of water. She gently placed it to her friend's lips and tilted her head back, allowing her to drink it. All Dany could taste was that the water was warm and flat, but she drank it eagerly.

Prying the bowl away from her, Xion placed it down and looked at Dany with a concerned look; one that didn't go unnoticed.

"Xion…" She was breathing heavily. "What happened?"

Her dear friend appeared hesitant to answer for a moment. "A lot, I'm afraid."

Dany didn't feel all that fearful, as if everything was burned away from her. Yet there were some lingering emotions that began to surface.

More so when she felt something was off as her hand graced her stomach… her flat stomach.

Amethyst eyes stayed there for what felt like hours, widening in disbelief.

Did the baby already come? How? It was too soon. It wasn't the full length of nine months and-

"Dany, look at me." No. XIV quietly said.

Blue met violet. Controlled concerns met trouble.

"Xion… my baby, my son…" Dany's voice was deathly low.

Seeing her friend's broken expression did little in calming her down. "Dany…"

"Where is he?" She now desperately asked. "I want my son! I want Rhaego."

Xion shuddered, wracked with guilt, reaching out to grasp her friend's hand. "Dany, you need to-"

"I want him, please." Dany soon pleaded. "Bring him to me."

Her friend had nothing but misery in her eyes. "...I can't."

"Why?"

…..

Dany was getting frustrated. Why wasn't her friend giving her a straight answer!? And why wasn't she looking her in the eyes!?

"WHERE IS MY BABY!?"

"He's dead, Dany."

That silenced her, making her shake her head in disbelief.

"No…" The Khaleesi choked. "No. He's not dead!"

Dany tried to get out of the bed, yet Xion held her down. The dragon began to wrestle the Nobody for dominance but it was a losing battle. All the Targaryen could do was hammer her fists against the Keybearer before her wrists were grasped to stop the hits.

"YOU LIE! HE'S NOT GONE! HE'S NOT-" She shrieked out, feeling her throat tear up from her cries.

Tears strained to fall from the greater Nobody's face. She then let go of Dany's wrists and hugged her friend.

"I'm sorry." She whispered into Daenerys' ear. "I'm so sorry."

It wasn't long before Dany's wails could be heard.

All tears could be shed from what she could muster, tiring herself from the action. Her eyes were dry as a desert. All the grief had been burned out of her, making her feel hollow and empty.

Her brother Viserys robbed her of a sense of happiness in raising and nurturing her firstborn child. He hurt her deeply, one which shall never heal properly. Whatever joy she sought to taste is now merely ash.

As much as she wanted to sleep, she was slowly energized from what potions she partook to help with the healing during her slumber.

With Xion's assistance, she walked out of the tent. The sun burned like molten gold and the land was seared and empty near the ruins of the village nearby. The glare of the sun made it hard for her to see until her eyes adjusted to the light.

It was there she saw the state everything within the area was in.

"The khalasaar…"

It was practically a shadow of its former self. Tents were spread out, but not as a sea but more of a pond or lake in terms of comparison. Some score horse milling listlessly and searching for a bite of grass, but all they could find was ash. If she could get a headcount on the simple sway of her head for a glance, she could see some hundred people.

"Viserys' attack wiped out a lot of the people. Others have left with Drogo no longer alive."

"And the rest?"

"The Dothraki follow only the strong. A great number are reluctant to stay because I slayed Viserys. Some still view you as their Khaleesi. Others didn't stay due to them not liking the idea of following a woman being stronger than them."

Of the forty thousand of the initial khalasaar, only all of this remained of Drogo's horde. It was rather frightening. Such a cruel fate, even if they survived Viserys' attack.

Dany kept on walking, inspecting more of the khalasaar. She felt conflicted on many emotions and feelings… if she could actually feel them.

Drogo was dead… and now her son. There was perhaps nothing tying her to these people. She could leave as initially planned alongside the others.

Yet seeing all these people around made her feel obligated she needed to look after them. As many as she could.

She could see the old, the frightened, the weak and the sick. A good portion of the Lhazareen were still present, due to there being nowhere else to go as their former home was still near; even if it's only a heaping pile of ruin.

During the walk, Dany was soon approached by a number of her khas, her handmaidens and her late husband's men. They said what sympathies they could. Some followed her and Xion before others met up with her.

"Tell me," Dany soon asked Ser Jorah, "who left?"

"Ko Pono left first, naming himself Khal Pono and many followed him. Jhaqo went afterwards along with others. There are a dozen new khalasars on the Dothraki sea, where once there was only Drogo's."

"They took Khal Drogo's herds." Said Aggo the bloodrider.

"Rather hard stopping so many of them with so little of us." Said Asher.

"It is the right of the strong to take from the weak. They even took many slaves with them, Khaleseei. Both yours and Drogo's." Said Rakharo.

This was concerning to the Targaryen.

She knew those two riders in a sense. Both didn't like her all that well with her having Drogo's ear and sway at times. She could guess the others who left were also hateful towards her, giving her a long list of people who may seek to kill her someday.

"I must ask, but what have you all been doing while I slept?"

"Gathering what dead we could find. Healing our wounded. Assembling a pyre. After that, we don't exactly know our next course of action."

"Why's that?"

"We were waiting for you."

The Khaleseei nodded in understanding, giving the command to resume the present tasks towards her people.

The land was dead and parched. Good wood was hard to come by. Much of it was already used the night before. Yet more was needed for the funeral pyre they needed for all the people they lost. Even if they don't have all the bodies, they'd use all they had. The foragers had returned with gnarled cottonwood and sheaves of brown grass.

The great pyre was composed of all the logs they could find, built in a square. Its center was filled with straw, brush, bark shavings, bundles of dry grass and most importantly the dead.

Suffice it to say it's gonna be a big one and hopefully, the burning corpses won't smell once everything is over.

On the platform where the late Khal lay, they piled Drogo's most precious belongings from his folded-up great tent, his saddle and harness, the whip his father had given him and some treasures. A number of his weapons were placed in there as well from his daggers and knives to his Valyrian steel arakh.

Aggo would have added the weapons Drogo's bloodriders had given Dany for her bride gifts back in Pentos, but she forbade it. Those were hers to do as she pleased and she planned on keeping them.

Tied to the funeral pyre was Drogo's warhorse, he will need it in the Nightlands. A sad thing to do, having to burn it alongside all of the assembled dead, but traditions were needed. If the warhorse wasn't there, they would've had to use up some other horse to make up for it.

As things continued, Ser Jorah pulled Dany aside.

"Princess…" he began.

"Why do you call me that?" She challenged him with the question. "You originally swore to Viserys in his first life. He was your king."

"He was, Khalessei."

"With Viserys dead, properly this time, I am his heir and now head of House Targaryen. Thus his titles are mine."

"Khaleesi, my queen." Jorah soon bent the knee. "My sword that was once his is yours Daenerys. I am no longer a lord, only a knight. I vow to serve you, obey you, to die for you if need be. But let Khal Drogo go. I know what you intend. Do not."

"I must." She said fondly. "You don't understand."

"I know you never loved him, only caring and respecting him." Jorah said, his voice filled with worry and concern. "You do not need to live up to the Dothraki standards and sacrifice your life to join your husband and son. Or even joining the dosh khaleen. You can live your life as you see fit, even with Xion and others by your side if you wish it."

The Targaryen smiled knowing that to be true. Home is indeed where the heart is and her friends were her home. To her, Xion was the most precious friend she could ever be gifted with.

"Please, Khaleesi. Don't ask me to stand aside as you climb on that pyre. I won't watch you burn."

"Is that what you fear?" She asked upon hearing his desperate plea.

Thoughts ran through Jorah's mind, making him wonder if she doesn't actually intend to burn in that pyre. There soon came a peck on his stubbled cheek with her giving him a look of reassurance.

"If it makes you feel any better, I swear to the Old Gods, the New, the Drowned, the Great Stallion and all others out there I do not intend on dying this night."

Even with her swearing to all deities out there, it didn't settle the worry within him.

The sun had begun to lower in the west by the time they were done with preparations. It was reaching its zenith with a beautiful sunset.

As this all occurred, a red comet could be seen in the sky. It was blood red; the Dragon's Tail most have called it.

To Dany, it felt appropriate. She felt something odd and splendid from the bleeding star. Like it was meant to be here for something extraordinary.

At the top platform, Dany personally brought up a basket filled with assortments, mostly seen were her dragon eggs. Her nostrils could pick up the scents of many oils and fragrances, the former to help with the burning process and the latter due to Drogo's preference.

The Khaleesi placed the eggs alongside her husband's corpse. The green and bronze was placed beside his head, using the hair to coil around it slightly. The cream and gold was tucked between his legs. The red and black one was placed by his opened chest under his arm.

With this done, she withdrew a wrapped bundle from the basket. Carefully placing it underneath the other arm before placing a kiss on it.

"Join your father in the Nightlands. He'll show you its wonders."

Even though Rhaego was prematurely birthed as a Dothraki, he still had the blood of Old Valyria in his tiny body. It felt customary for her child to be cremated properly like his forefathers in centuries long passed on both sides of his family.

She soon gave Drogo one last look before speaking to him one last time in the Dothraki tongue.

"Forgive me, for all I've done without your notice. Things were difficult and I wished things could've been different. I paid a hefty price, too high and heavy. May you find a better place with your ancestors, my husband."

She then made her way down and off of the pyre.

Once her feet met the dirt, she was greeted by Jorah, Xion, Asher and Beskha.

"Drogo will have no use for dragon eggs in the Nightlands." Spoke Jorah.

"We can sell them and you could live worry-free somewhere as a wealthy woman." Beskha commented. "It's what I would've done… until I get bored."

"You'd find the simple life too boring." Asher said jokingly.

Xion added her own thoughts on the little matter. "With what excitement we've experienced in our existence, such a thing isn't really suitable."

"That I can agree. Perhaps later on in our lives, not now."

Dany wore a small hint of a smile before speaking in a soft, stern manner. "They were not given to me to sell."

She called her Dothraki, comrades and Lhazareen around her. Some more than a hundred were left from what she properly noticed. She felt every single eye on her very being, questioning and judging her.

She wondered how Aegon the Conqueror had started nearly three centuries ago. Odd thought, but it didn't matter.

"You will be my khalasar. I see the faces of slaves. I free you. Take off your collars. Go if you wish, no one will stop you. But if you stay, it will be as brothers and sisters, as husbands and wives."

From this bit of an announcement, there were some unknown number of people who left. Dany didn't pay attention to how many as she didn't want them forcefully bound to her. Perhaps more would leave once the funeral session has concluded.

After some moments, the khaleesi continued. "I am Daenerys Stormborn, of House Targaryen, of the blood of old Valyria. I am the dragon's daughter, and I swear to you that those who would harm you will die screaming."

Once saying her piece, the Targaryen turned to her friend.

"Xion."

"Dany?"

"Do you trust me?"

"I do, but-"

"Set the pyre aflame with your magic."

A quizzical look marred her features but complied anyway. Summoning her Keyblade, Xion aimed it at the funeral pyre and casted Firaga.

The flames were soon quick to encompass the made structure and began burning the dead. Drogo's warhorse soon whined in utter pain and agony before its life was eventually snuffed out. For the pyre roared in the dusk like a great beast.

Everyone began being drawn to the growing flames, ignoring the stench of death present from the assembled corpses as it was all being burned away. The flames soon reached Drogo and Rhaego, swallowing them whole. Huge gouts of fire unfurled their banners in that hellish wind, glowing cinders rising on the smoke like so many newborn fireflies.

The heat drove the Dothraki and Dany's companions back, except for Xion who stood her ground. As for the Targaryen, she was the blood of the dragon and the fire began calling to her, telling her a long forgotten truth.

It was there she took a step.

As this occurred, Xion was distracted by the fire. Silently observing and reflecting.

Much has happened to her since coming to this World, not by her own volition. She had been gifted a second chance of having an existence by… someone or something.

'If Axel and Roxas were here, they'd think of me as a stranger.' Was the thought.

Xion soon noticed something out of place. When looking beside her, she saw Dany was no longer there.

Instead she was walking into the funeral pyre!

"DANY!"

The Nobody drew up her hood and rushed in before the others could hold her back and stop her. She entered the flames to get her friend out, thinking she was being suicidal.

Soon enough, the Targaryen and Nobody were swallowed up by the flames.

With the spectacle occurring from the pyre, no one noticed the bleeding star began to get brighter in the night sky.

As it pulsed, something pulsed within the roaring fire.

It was like a heartbeat. Soft and gentle at first before it started to form some sort of pace.

And from this did a change occur.

Xion was ready to yell and berate her friend, who was alarmed and concerned. This quickly changed for the both of them when they started to see the surrounding flames.

As Dany's clothes began to smolder and crumble while Xion's remained intact, they saw crimson firelions and great yellow serpents and unicorns made of pale blue flame. Other animals and creatures in a variety of colors made the entire spectacle magnificent beyond comprehension.

From the flames, the pair could see a figure rising and take shape. It greatly resembled Drogo, who smiled at them from his warhorse. And there was an infant he was carrying, who was innocently waving at late Khal soon snapped his reins, having his mighty steed gallop around them before taking off into the night sky as smoke.

And the two weren't alone as many others rose from the fires and joined Drogo as a magnificent khalasaar trailing behind him.

From the fires of death and destruction comes life.

*CRACK*

A cracking sound could be heard amongst the flames. Nothing akin to wood breaking, or might have been confused as such. This sound was unique and particular like the shattering of stone.

The pair could hear shouting from outside of the pyre, but it was too hard to distinguish who it was. All they could hear and focus on was the fire.

Xion soon noticed the pyre's structure started to crumble down upon them, causing her to swiftly grasp her friend into her embrace. A means of protecting her.

*CRAAAAAACK*

With the second crack, it was loud and sharp as thunder. The smoke stirred and whirled around the pair as the pyre began to shift into a firestorm.

Whereas the Targaryen and Nobody couldn't feel anything before, they most certainly did now. A light igniting and roaring from inside of them, as if something was forming and awakening respectively.

On the third crack, it was loud and sharp as if the world was breaking.

*CRAAAAAAAAAACK-BOOOOOM*

And with that crack came out a mighty pulse.

Everyone present outside of the pyre were knocked off their feet, stumbling or falling to the ground.

The next thing they all knew, the grand flame was suddenly snuffed out. The air still felt hot, yet cool. Cool enough for others to walk in close than before.

With the pyre gone, the others saw all that remained. The moon in the sky with the stars and the bleeding comet helped light and reveal what lies within the surrounding lands.

It was honestly a miracle that Dany and Xion survived.

Jorah, Asher and Beskha were the first to come in close. The two girls were surrounded by ash and embers, as if they were baptized by it all.

Xion looked rather tired from underneath her hood. The stories she told of her attire protecting her from the vast elements was apparently true, protecting her from the harsh flames as she wasn't burned at all. All they could see from the darkness of her hood were her blue eyes, which seemed to shine.

As for Daenerys, she was naked as the day she was born. Her form was covered in soot and ash clinging onto her flesh. There were even no signs of burns at all if you were to wash off the grime. Her long hair was nearly gone as it was harshly burned. All that could perhaps be salvageable is only some inches coming out from her scalp.

What was additionally odd was something she lightly held in her grasp. It looked similar to an arakh but longer and something else entirely. Regardless, the long strip of metal with dark ripples glowed predominantly due to the rolling blue and red flames wisping outward. Something which was warm and inviting to allies yet opposing and dangerous to offenders. The light coming from the weapon made it seem her amethyst eyes were glowing.

This could perhaps be considered a final gift Drogo gave to his wife from the Nightlands, bequeathing her his Valyrian bladed weapon to do with as she pleased. And with that grand magical pyre, it molded into something suitable for her.

It was then did the others notice something else was amongst them.

"By the gods."

Clinging onto the Targaryen were a trio of dragon hatchlings in their own distinct colors: one black and red, one green and bronze and the other cream and gold.

"Blood of my blood." Jorah muttered aloud in shock and awe.

The Mormont wasn't the only one as Asher and Beskha were greatly startled upon seeing a long extinct creature brought back to life. Soon enough the three bent the knee.

"Blood of my blood." They muttered and so did many others upon witnessing the sight.

Everyone began kneeling before them, practically swearing their allegiance to the khaleesi and perhaps even the Keybearer.

Xion helped Dany onto her feet, who gave her a thankful smile. The nearly bald and naked Targaryen soon used her Valyrian blade as support in further hoisting her up and keeping her steady. As this happened, two of the dragons crawled up and traveled onto the Nobody while the black and red one stayed perched on Dany's shoulder.

For the first time in hundreds of years, the night came alive with the music of dragons with their screeches as they unfurled their wings.

What they didn't know that the revival of dragons would cause throughout the world, even beyond it.

-End Chapter-

Seashell Resonance: Xion's new standard Keyblade.

Yojimbo Summoning Charm: A Ronin summon which assists the summoners and allies in the terms of battle.

AN:

Kept you waiting, huh?

Well, what do you expect with it being months since I updated this story. And I have some excuses for that.

I've been replaying Kingdom Hearts 3 while continuing on with Mass Effect Legendary Edition. Started Hades quite recently while thinking of getting into Cult of the Lamb and Metal Hellsinger. Elden Ring has had me hooked since launch. Been playing it when I can as I greatly wanted to properly complete my first From Software game since… ever. Clocked in roughly 160 hours when I finally defeated the Elden Beast before going into NG+ and boy it was a doozy. Of course with the game, I wanted to use it so I can get further inspiration on intelligence and faith spells/incantations along with varying movesets on what to perhaps use in this and other stories.

It wasn't just this, but… I've been having personal problems to deal with. Work has been overwhelming for a number of details, which resulted in my mental health taking a nosedive. It was making it hard for me to attempt writing anything of my own for a while in which I needed to take a personal break and do things for me. While playing video games was one thing, I also wanted to catch up on a lot of books I wanted to read, yet I put aside just so I could focus on writing.

But in the end, the roadblocks dealt with the complicated stuff on how to rework certain scenes and expand them on the lines and descriptive content. Not to mention rearranging things for the overall narrative with what I have in mind for the story to set up for later stuff.

A little shout out to GREAT CELESTIAL-DRAGON for some assistance here. He helped me write some scenes, yet he did things on his own and I had to change things up accordingly to fit my vision here. But I greatly appreciate the effort.

On other news, House of the Dragon has finally premiered and it looks fantastic with its first season so far with five episodes in at this point.

So for those who aren't in the know, this series will be based on the accounts shown in the Fire and Blood and The World of Ice & Fire history novels along with the various lores done depicting the events of the Dance of the Dragons and the times leading up to it. It has been stated by both GRRM and the show producer that it'll be practically the same, yet different than what was done in the written works, due to the fact of the show being the true accounts while the "history books" are often changed up with too many accounts muddling the truth. So we'll be given a show that'll throw fans off of those who know their lores, even with things going through timeskips.

Free Man Writer: The show's been good thus far and also, sorry for taking so long to get back to this one. Sometimes writer's block can be an ass on top of life having run interference. We've also been looking at our other collaborative efforts, neglecting this one unfortunately. Hopefully, with HotD, we can update this one more frequently again. Inspiration always helps.

Anyways, be sure to review this story guys! Would like the criticisms. Please and thank you!

R&R