Chapter Text

Peace. Defined as freedom from disturbance.

Unicorns, Vampires, Dragons, and Nymphs. Defined as mythical creatures.

How strange? Both definitions were wrong.

~*~

“Howard, what are you doing? The selection will start any minute and you’re not even ready.” Peggy chided him as she stormed into his house. Howard rolled his eyes and continued to surf Facebook on his laptop.

“Only Unicorns at the age of twenty-one are selected as Highest Peggy. I’m eleven years too young.” Howard argued wishing this could be the end of it but he knew the Nymph wouldn’t let this alone anytime soon.

“But the High Oracles said that all the Unicorns are to attend. There are only three hundred in the whole Kingdom. You’re absence will be missed. The Dragon Knights have a checklist and everything and will know if you’re not there. Nick said so.” Peggy argued right back, grabbing his arm and hoisting Howard off the couch. “Honor your elders Howard. Let’s go.”

“You’re only two years older than me.” Howard complained but let Peggy lead him to the center of town.

“Yes but Nick is four years older than you and he said to tell you to get your ass to the Selection.” Peggy said with a smirk and Howard groaned, once again regretting friends that were older than him.

“But Peggy, I’m not even properly dressed. I don’t have my horn or anything.” Howard complained as they approached their destination. The Center was flooded with people, all the Keepers of Ethereal were there. Howard hated crowds. It made him feel claustrophobic and he really just wanted to go back home. It was silly being here. He was not Highest material. Howard knew that quite well; his father’s constant reminder also kept him brutally aware that he would never become a leader of any kind.

“You’re mood has changed. Are you thinking about your father again? Your father is an imp; don’t believe a word he says.” Peggy said her voice suddenly turning to anger as she led him through the crowd, bumping into people along the way and not even apologizing.

“An imp; that’s sort of cold, Peggy. Even for you.” Howard said groaning as they approached a tall, black boy in his Dragon armor who was giving Howard a firm scold.

“It’s the truth. Hey Nick; I got him.” Peggy said when they reached him. “As you can see, he wasn’t even ready. I have to go back and get his armor, horn and everything. I think he needs a shower too.” Peggy said sniffing around him and Howard glared at her.

Nick laughed, “I can tell. We have a good half an hour. You go get his stuff and I’ll get him ready.” Peggy nodded and disappeared into the crowd again. Nick turned to Howard and scowled at him.

“What? I’m not going to be selected. I’m too young.” Howard argued again. “Even if I was of age, I still wouldn’t be selected. Honorable Highest Titus Trey,” Howard pressed his hands together into a prayer position when he said the King’s name. Nick did the same. It was an action to pay homage to their deceased King. “Chose Alger as his Successor. So the High Oracles will choose him.” Nick rolled his eyes, grabbing Howard’s arm and dragging him off in some direction Howard wasn’t even sure of. He was tiring of being manhandled.

“If that were true, would the High Oracles go through this whole rigmarole?” Nick argued leading Howard to the Dragon quarters and practically throwing him into one of the showers.

“I do not STINK!” Howard yelled but all Nick did was throw him some soap and a towel.

“No you don’t but you smell like a human rather than a Unicorn.” Nick said closing the shower curtain. “Hurry, you have about twenty minutes before everything starts. I’ll text Peggy and tell her where we are.” Nick said and Howard could hear his footsteps start to recede.

Howard sighed, taking off his clothes and throwing them over the shower curtain on to the floor. He heard a ‘HEY!’ and nearly jumped through the roof from shock. The weird thing was that it was an infant voice.

“Is someone in here?” Howard called out and he heard a ‘Yeah’ right before a little girl with strawberry red hair poked her head through the shower curtain. “What the hell?! Kid, get out!” Howard shouted and she quickly jumped back.

“I’m sorry. I just wanted to see the new King.” She said then everything got quiet. Howard thought she had left so he poked his head out only to find her standing there, looking up at him.

“Kid, leave. I’m not the new King.” Howard said shooing her away though he kept himself covered with the shower curtain.

“Yes you are. I can see it and my name’s not Kid! It’s Virginia but you can call me Pepper.” She said holding out her little hand and Howard glared at her.

“Well Virginia-Pepper-kid, whatever. Leave!” Howard said ducking back into the shower. He heard her huff.

“You’re a mean King.” She said and he heard her start to walk away.

“I’m not the King!” Howard called out after her, ignoring her ‘Yes, you are’. “Must have been a Nymph.” Howard muttered to himself. “They think they know everything.” He said, turning on the shower.

“That’s because we do.” He heard another voice say and Howard immediately recognized it as Peggy. “I got your clothes here. I left them on the table.”

“Yeah whatever.” Howard grumbled. “All this for no reason.”

“You are such a pessimist. Even if you’re not selected, the very least you can do is try to have fun. This is an entire celebration.” He heard Peggy say and she sounded closer now, like she was right outside his shower.

Howard sighed; he really didn’t want a lecture today, “Sure okay Peggy.” He said and he could practically hear her eyes roll.

“Fine, fine, go you’re entire life as the grumpiest Unicorn ever.”

~*~

“Maren, what are you worrying about? I am bound to become the Highest. Titus chose me as his second.” Alger said looking in the mirror. He didn’t attach a title to his name or pay homage to him because Alger had never been fond of the King. Sure he smiled and played nice in his face but if the old man hadn’t of died of old age he would have killed him for the Kingship but thank God for nature. Maren stormed in giving Alger a scowl. The frown made him drop his head and he wasn’t even sure what he had done wrong; Unicorns didn’t like to see disapproval from their Svan. It made them feel like horrible soulmates.

“What did I tell you about assuming Alger? You must be on your very best behavior so that those fools that call themselves the High Oracles will look only to you.” Alger opened his mouth to say something but she cut him off barking, “QUIET! You don’t speak until you are chosen for the Kingship at the selection.” Alger’s heart shattered. But that was his Maren; his Svan could be so cold to him and he wouldn’t know what the hell was going on. “Now, now dear,” She said in a much kinder tone walking up to him and cupping his face with her hand. “I’m not angry with you; I just want you to stay focused.” She said and she kissed his cheek. “You know the Kingship belongs to me.” She said suddenly. That threw him for a loop because he didn't know she had Unicorn in her blood. He looked at her curiously. She smiled and sat on their bed, patting the space beside her so he would sit next to her. “About seven generations ago, my sixth great-grandmother was selected as the next Highest but she was disenchanted by the King’s Successor and when she was outcasted, the Kingship was given to him.” Alger leaned over and hugged her. He would have said something if he hadn’t been on punishment but it still warmed his heart to see his Svan smile. Though it didn’t last long. “Alright now Alger, straighten up. You have a competition to win!” She said pulling away from him and walking out the room.

Alger watched her receding back until she was gone and sighed, going back to the mirror to make sure he looked like Highest material. He grabbed his horn and practiced some basic combat blasts from the weapon before Maren called his name. He looked into the mirror one last time.

“You look impeccable.” Alger quietly told himself, because his Svan sure in the hell wouldn’t, and walked out the room.

~*~

Howard stood, adorned in his entire Unicorn garb, in the crowd of the much-older-than-him Unicorns who were looking down at him curiously, as if he were some terribly lost lamb. He looked at all the Vampires lined against the walls, looking hopeful. If the High Oracles couldn’t find a Unicorn to take over the Kingdom then a Vampire would be chosen. Howard didn’t care either way just as long as he could go home and take a nap after this whole ordeal.

When the five Nymphs that make up the High Oracles stepped out, all the Unicorns dropped down to one knee. Except for Howard. Because no one had given him that memo. Unicorns didn’t learn about these political things until much later in their training. He threw a glare at Peggy and Nick before quickly dropping down to one knee only to realize it was the wrong knee and had to switch. He expected someone to yell at him but no one did. Actually he’s pretty sure he heard some awes coming from the crowd. Howard was so going to kill his friends when this entire embarrassment was done and over with.

“Be not afraid little one.” Some tall guy with long blonde hair said kneeling beside him. His eyes were azure, a sparkling azure as any Unicorn's should be. Howard wished he could be happy like his fellow comrades. That way he wouldn’t be stuck with the crappy, brown pugs in his eyes otherwise known as irises. “Only a bold infant would be courageous enough to compete with fellow Unicorns ten years his senior.” Howard stared at him, mouthing the word ‘infant’.

“I am not an infant. I’m ten years old.” Howard argued and the guy chuckled. “And I didn’t even want to come. My friends made me.” Howard grumbled and the guy laughed, slapping him on the back. He was so big and strong that he almost knocked Howard on the ground.

“Perhaps they see something within you, you cannot see yourself.” The guy said. Howard stared at him. “By the way, my name is Thor.” The guy, Thor, said holding out his hand and Howard shook it.

“Howard.” He managed to say before a horn was blown and one of the High Oracles dressed in orange stepped up.

“Would all brown eyed Unicorns stand please?” He called out and Howard was shocked but shrugged, figuring he was about to be dismissed, which was perfectly fine with him. As he stood, Thor smiled and gave him a thumb up and it actually felt sincerely encouraging. Howard smiled at him and looked around at the few standing Unicorns who looked just as confused as him. Most Unicorns didn’t have a normal shade of eye color. Not in Ethereal anyway. Eye color for them depended on their mood but it had to be an overwhelming mood. Most Unicorns had azure eyes because they were just extremely happy. Howard’s were always brown, the default color. It sucked but it was better than amethyst (depressed) or amber (anger).

“Would the standing Unicorns please come forth?” The Oracle said and the standing Unicorns all stood there looking around and at each other in confusion before they slowly started making their way up to the front of the Center.

Thor whispered, “Good luck.” After him and Howard whispered back ‘Thank you.’ Though he was pretty sure they were simply going to be dismissed because who would want an indifferent Unicorn to become the Highest.

When the few Unicorns got to the front, again everyone knelt down to one knew except for Howard and some other poor fool who seemed only a few years older than him. When they realized they were the only two standing they both started to drop down to one knee but the Oracle stopped them.

“How many Unicorns are in Ethereal?” The man said to Nick who was standing beside him. Nick was one of the Superior Dragons of Ethereal so he got to spend a lot of time with the big shots. Why he spent his free time with a chump like Howard, the boy was never able to figure it out and he was pretty smart. A genius if he said so himself.

“Three hundred and seventeen.” Nick answered.

The Oracle nodded. “And how many arrived?”

“One hundred and twenty-two, the missing Unicorns are the ones below Kingship age.” Nick said looking down at the clipboard in his hands. Well, Howard had noticed that the selection crowd looked a tad thin. The Oracle nodded and motioned for Howard and the other kid to come to him. Howard stepped up nervously, wondering just what the hell was going on. Surely he wasn’t being considered as a Highest.

“You two were obedient. That is a sign.” The Oracle waving a hand of dismissal to the crowd behind them that quickly dispersed. “What are your names and ages?”

“I am Isaac Syzmon and I am sixteen.” The other Unicorn said quickly like he was trying to beat the boy to it. Howard stayed quiet for a moment because he was dumbfounded. What was a sign? The Oracle cleared his throat and Howard snapped back to the present.

“Howard Stark and I’m ten.” The boy said shyly. The Oracle smiled down at him kindly with just a touch of sympathy. Howard hoped he didn’t look that pathetic.

“You two will compete in three events. The first shall be a battle of wits.” Okay Howard could do that. “The second, a battle of strength & agility, and lastly a battle of combative efficiency.” Well there goes Howard’s flicker of hope. He might as well just go home right now. The other Unicorn, Isaac looked down at him and scoffed. That really didn’t help his self-esteem. The Oracle put a hand on his chin and raised it so the boy was looking at him. The Nymph still had that hint of sympathy in his eyes. “Don’t look defeated so soon. You never know what fate has in store.”

Howard nodded though he still fully believed that fate made him a nobody long before he was even born.

~*~

Alger looked down at the idiot Oracle call out two kids from crowd of the inferior Unicorns. He was wondering just what the fuck the nymph was doing. The High Oracles didn’t even glance at Alger when he walked out with the rest of the Advisors of the King. He could practically feel his Svan’s anger as she stood beside him so he just avoided looking at her completely but of course she made herself seen.

“Are you just going to sit here and let them look over you?” Maren hissed at him and for a moment he just knew she was going to slap him but she didn’t. Probably because they were out in public and Maren loved to look like a dove.

“Darling, what do you expect for me to do? I can’t just go down there and interrupt the competition.” Is what he wanted to say but he was still on silent punishment so he just shrugged. She snarled at him and turned back to the action below them.

Alger sighed and watched them with her, ducking his head when he tried to take hold of Maren’s hand only to have her swat his away. He stared down at the two Unicorns go through their competitions with contempt. He couldn’t see what made them so special. They weren’t doing anything he couldn’t do; even at their ages his skill was far more superior.

Though he had to give it to the youngest one, he seemed too young to have had proper Unicorn training yet so Alger found himself actually impressed with the boy. He was smarter than the older one and wasn’t too bad with the other two events. Actually they came out pretty even. And how the boy figured out how to wield power from his horn with absolutely no training was quite amazing, a feat not even Alger had managed when he was that age. So maybe the little bastard had something going for him. But surely the High Oracles wouldn’t pass him by for a child and perhaps he was just reading too much into this whole little theatrical. Maybe they were just going to select a new advisor to replace him and give Alger the throne. Yeah, that’s it. Alger tapped Maren’s shoulder so he could tell her his opinion but she only glared at him so he just hung his head again. He loved his Svan as any Unicorn would he just wished his soulmate would at least pretend to love him back.

~*~

At the battle of wits, Howard exceeded just as he expected to. He actually did alright with the strength and agility test but off course when it came to the combative efficiency he was no match for the older Unicorn. Isaac beat the shit out of him. Howard did figure out how to manage a few attacks with his horn but he rarely got a hit in between Isaac's damn near vicious attack. Howard was starting to feel that the other Unicorn was resentful for being shown up in the wits match. Talk about a sore loser.

What was really nice though was that he heard the crowd cheering for him, calling out his name. "Go Howard, Go." He kept hearing as Isaac continued throwing blast after blast at him before he figured out how to create a force field. That helped a little. Howard still got knocked on his ass though.



Finally, after what seemed like forever a horn was blown and the events stopped. Howard could have kissed whoever had mercy on him and was just turning to walk away because of course he didn’t win but a Nymph dressed in red put a hand on his shoulder and stopped him.



“No, no darling, we’re not done with you yet.” She said with a kind, small smile, taking hold of his hand. She lead him to the front of the court again and Howard automatically hung his head wishing they would have just let him walk away with at least a hint of dignity instead of embarrassing him in public. He looked up when he heard her tisk. “My, my, you are quite a pessimist aren’t you?” She said though she gave him a fond smile but she too had sympathy in her eyes and Howard was beginning to think that it had nothing to do with the events. Maybe they could sense his cruel father?



The other two High Oracles, one dressed in purple and the other in amber, came down with the three that were already there. They had him stand beside Isaac who was posed with all the arrogant pride in the world. Howard wished he could have that type of confidence, figuring that he would when he was sixteen too.



“And the next Highest will be.” The Oracle dressed in orange started to announce and Howard hung his head again. “Mister Howard Stark.”



~*~



Alger’s mouth dropped. Howard Stark. The chump. The kid. Wasn’t that boy still in his diapers? Alger didn’t have too much time to think about it before he was abruptly turned and Maren glared, glowered up at him.



“Go down there. And fix this.” She snarled at him grimly. He nodded jerkily and quickly started making his way down to the courts, trying to figure out just what the hell he was supposed to say. They were the High Oracles for Christ's sake.

~*~

Howard dismally nodded once and started to walk away before it hit him. They said Howard Stark. And Highest in the same sentence. Did they say he was the next Highest or would never be? He looked up at the Nymph dressed in red in confusion.

“What?” He asked in a daze. She smiled down at him though it was still sympathetic.

“You are our next Highest. Don’t you hear the crowd cheering for you?” She said and he looked out at the standing ovation, hearing his cheered name. He looked over at Isaac who was glaring at him with all the contempt in the world before he stormed away.

“B-b-but why?” Howard stammered. To say he was shocked would be an understatement. What was so great about him? He was just some punk kid.

She sighed, “You are so self-doubtful. But no worries, we have five years to prepare to be a great, confident King.” She said taking his hand and leading him to the stage at the very front of the court. Howard had to take a minute to think about that. Five Years? But he won’t be twenty-one until eleven years. So they were going to make him King at fifteen?

When they got to the stairs, a tall, broad man with short black hair rushed up to them looking every bit of pissed. And the glare he gave Howard let the boy know that he wasn’t happy about the selection either. Howard hated for his first action as Highest to be one made in fear but he stepped behind the Oracle because this guy looked like he would strangle him the first chance he got.

“Greatest Eirene, how are you on this marvelous day?” The man said with a faux smile when he reached them. He was a Unicorn and his eyes were starting to tint amber. Howard had never seen a Unicorn with amber eyes before and it was not a pretty sight. To say the least. The boy was suddenly grateful for his brown eyes. The Nymph looked down at Howard, smiling at him as she knelt down to his level.

“You are the next true King of Ethereal Howard. It’s your destiny. It will not happen swiftly and you will experience a lot of pain before you reach you’re throne but it will come and don’t ever forget it. Okay?” She said. Howard nodded though he could hardly say he was enthused about it. Pain wasn’t exactly something that made him excited. “Good, Greatest Alberich will you take him for his ordination?” She said standing, looking at the Oracle dressed in orange.

“Certainly, come with me little guy.” The Nymph, Alberich, said stretching out his hand. Howard took it, looking up Greatest Eirene before chancing a glance at the guy who seemed to have a huge problem with him and promptly stepped behind Alberich. “It’s alright; you don’t have to be afraid.” The Nymph said smiling down at him then led him up the stairs.

~*~

"What do you want Alger?" Eirene said, already exasperated. This is the reason he was passed up; Along with that fool Isaac. Anyone who is compassionless enough to pick on a child and intimidate them did not deserve the Kingship.

"My dear, lovely Greatest Eirene, I know your wisdom and knowledge is great and exceeding—” Alger started but the Nymph rolled her eyes and cut him off.

“Alger, do not try to bathe me with flattery. You were not selected as the next King because you are not worthy of the throne. You will never be worthy of the throne just like Maren’s entire lineage wasn’t, isn’t. I’m sorry you got stuck with here as your Svan but she, as well as her ancestors, have been nothing but a thorn in the side of Ethereal since before history records.” Eirene said simply as she started to walk up the stairs to the stage, disregarding Alger’s dumbfounded look altogether. “You are not strong enough either. This boy has more courage than you as he always will.” She said before walking up to the rest of the way to join the High Oracles on the stage.

Alger stood there, staring at her receding back, wanting nothing more than to strike her with his horn but he didn’t and it wasn’t because he was too afraid either. It was neither the time nor the place so he just stormed back up to the Advisor’s Balcony, trying to figure out what he was going to tell Maren.

~*~

“That guy scared me.” Howard said as Greatest Alberich led him to the middle of the stage. “A King isn’t supposed to be scared. I think you made a mistake.” The boy said a hundred percent sincere but all the Nymph did was pat his cheek.

“You are a child. You’re supposed to be fearful around imps.” Alberich said and Howard cringed. Was that guy really that bad?

“Who was he?” Howard asked standing where the Oracle told him to stand.

Alberich sighed, “That will be answered soon enough. Right now all you have to worry about is your ordination.” Howard blinked in surprise. He still couldn’t believe that this was actually happening. He watched as the five Oracles lined up in front of him. Greatest Eirene stepped up to him and kissed his forehead.

“Highest Stark, allow me to present the High Oracles to you. I am Greatest Eirene, the Oracle of passion, desire, power, and love.” Oh, that’s why she was dressed in red. So their colors meant something. She stretched her hand out to the Oracle in orange “This is Greatest Alberich, the Oracle of creativity, ambition, encouragement, and success.” She said and the Nymph dressed in yellow stepped up and patted his head. “This is Greatest Julius, the Oracle of joy, intellect, energy, and happiness.” She said and the Nymph dressed in green stepped up and pinched his cheek. Howard was beginning to think they thought he was adorable. He was not amused. “Greatest Eliza is the Oracle of growth, harmony, healing, and fertility. And last but not least, Greatest Celia is the oracle of nobility, wealth, wisdom, and dignity.” She said as the Nymph dressed in purple stepped up to him, grinning down at him, pinching his cheek too.

Greatest Eirene’s smile faltered a little suddenly. “Together we make your Elder Advisors.” She said and there was a huge, collective gasp from the Advisor’s Balcony because she just terminated all of their positions. This had hardly been done before, usually the previous Highest’s advisors were passed to the new King unless the new King selected was young like Howard and there was a problem with the old advisors. Howard chanced a glance up to the Advisor’s Balcony where he found a gathering of pissed expressions including the guy who stopped him before at the stairs. Beside him was a woman who looked about ready to whip a gun from somewhere and shoot him. He cringed and turned back to the High Oracles who were smiling down at him but in an expectant manner. Was he supposed to say something?

“That sounds cool.” Howard said shyly and they all chuckled.

“Very cool indeed.” Greatest Julius said gesturing for Nick to come up on the stage. “Because you are so young, the system has to change. You cannot fully take Kingship until you are twenty-one years of age. For the next five- um, eleven years, you will be trained in the ways of a King, making small decisions along the way, along with a few very big ones. The Elder Advisors will run the Kingdom until you are grown but we promise to never overstep our boundaries and to never rule the Kingdom in anyway outside the lines of your vision which we all hope is a rather good vision.” Howard nodded, he hoped so too. The Oracle smiled and patted his cheek. “No need to worry, I’m sure you’ll be legendary. So until you’re twenty first birthday, you will have a council: a group of six people who are close and wise friends of yours who will become your advisors when you take the throne. Do you understand all of this?”

“Yes,” Howard said watching Nick as he climbed the steps holding a sword. The Dragon looked at the boy and gave him a thumb up, mouthing ‘I told you so.’ Howard didn’t even know people still used swords, plus he thought it was more of a Chinese thing. “When can I choose my council?” Howard asked and the High Oracles looked at him curiously and amusedly.

“As soon as you want. Do you already have someone in mind?” Greatest Celia asked and he nodded.

“I want Nick on my council. Or is he too young?” Howard said and Nick looked at him in shocked at first but then high fived him.

Greatest Eliza chuckled at them, “Your councilmen or women have to be at least sixteen years of age so he just makes it. It is a good decision, a harmonious decision.”

“A wise decision.” Greatest Celia added with a smile.

“Yes indeed. In that case, Mister Fury you will stand to the right of Howard, a step behind him.” Greatest Eirene said and Nick quickly got in position, grinning like a loon. “And you need to kneel on one knee.” She said to Howard. The boy did so quickly, so glad he was spared embarrassment this time.

The Oracles stood in a curved line in front of him and Greatest Eirene took the sword and the weapon glowed in her hands.

“That’s awesome.” Howard said in wonderment and Nick poked his side, obviously telling him to shut up.

Greatest Eirene only smiled as the other Oracles touched his shoulder, two on his left and two on his right, all of their hands started to glow. Again, it was extremely awesome but Howard kept quiet this time. Keepers usually didn’t use their powers in Ethereal because there was no need to unless they were training and Howard was far from the power training age so this was exciting for him. The Oracles smiled and placed their other hand on the blade of the sword which glowed even more.

“By the power vested in me I ordain you as Ethereal’s next Highest. Take this honor to heart and abuse it in no way. Strive for the best of your people and they will strive to serve you to the maximum of their power. Upon accepting the Kingship, you make this vow to the Keepers of Ethereal until your next ordination when you will renew your vows. Do you accept the Kingship?” Greatest Eirene asked and Howard was dumbfounded for a moment. He could decline it! Well there goes all his worries, he’ll just decline- Howard looked up at the High Oracles who were giving him a grim, warning glare and he knew exactly why they were giving him that look.

“Yes, I accept the Kingship.” Howard said shyly, trying his best not to pout. Nymphs have always been controlling.

“Excellent!” Greatest Eirene said, the smile returning to her lips. “Then Highest Howard Anthony Walter Stark I ordain you as Ethereal’s new King.” She finished, touching the sword to both of his shoulders. Howard’s first thought was who told her his full name before the outstanding cheering from the crowd helped him realize the weight of what just happened.

He was the King!

“Hand me your horn.” Greatest Eirene said. Howard blinked twice before he it clicked and he pulled his horn out of his holder. She touched the sword to it and the glow traveled from the weapon to his horn. “This weapon will be your most prized possession. It will never lose it glow or power even if you are disenchanted.” She said and there was sympathy in her eyes again, in all of the Oracles’ eyes. That struck fear in Howard’s heart. Disenchanted?! That hasn’t happened to any Unicorn in over a hundred years. He hoped to God that wasn’t his fate. He didn’t even know how exactly a Unicorn was disenchanted.

“Don’t worry about it. For now, let’s celebrate.” Greatest Julius said with a sympathetic smiles as he motioned for him to stand and led him to the edge of the stage, facing the cheering audience. “Keepers of Ethereal, I present to you our new King!” He announced and the cheering doubled.

Howard looked out at the people, his people. He decided to let himself chance a smile. He usually didn’t smile because he was afraid that someone would do something to wipe it off his face like his father usually did. But he was smiling now and he actually proud of himself for once but speaking of which…

What the hell was he going to tell his father?

~*~

“You piece of SHIT!” Maren screamed at Alger right before she smacked him. Hard!

“Darling, I-” He started but she struck him again.

“I told you not to speak.” She growled at him and Alger snapped his mouth shut. They were back in their own house now. They had stayed at the New King’s Celebration for only an hour or so before Maren practically dragged him back to their home. He had dreaded this moment since the High Oracles ceased his position. He could practically feel her livid rage when the words slipped from their lips. “I swear you are no good. The worst Unicorn in the Kingdom! I wish I was never your Svan!” She barked at him.

Alger whole heart shattered painfully into a million little pieces. It was instinct for a Unicorn to make their Svan as happy as possible, striving to keep them protected and content. That’s why Unicorns were submissive to their Svan. It was a balance for them. Unicorns were the rarest yet most powerful Keepers of Ethereal and their Svan, their soul mates, were to balance them. Their dominance was supposed to reflect their Unicorn’s nobility. So Maren’s hostile treatment made he feel despaired in ways he couldn’t even describe.

One thing for sure, it hurt like hell.

He wanted to say something, to apologize but from the glare she was giving him, he better not fuck up again anytime soon. She continued to glower at him until she said,

“Follow me.” Alger panicked a little inside because this was heading toward discipline area and he did not want to be punished at all, not by Maren. She was just too cruel. But his Svan gave him an order so he was forced to follow it. He started to walk behind her but she turned to him with the angriest look. “No, you don’t get to walk! Only real men get to walk! You will crawl until I’m pleased with you.” Alger’s jaw dropped and he stared at her but he knew better than to take too long. He gracefully dropped down to his knees then leaned down on his hands. When she started walking, he crawled after her. There was no one inside their home except the two of them but Alger still felt a dense feeling of shame and humiliation. It was a feeling he had come too familiar with since imprinting on Maren and it was one that he has learned to despise. She led him to him the hall closet, the smallest closet in their home, and Alger knew exactly what was to follow.

“Svan please, I am so sorry.” Alger pleaded but she only kicked him viscously in the ribs and boy did that shit hurt! She opened the closet door, looking down at him expectantly. He wanted to plead again, he wanted to say something but this punishment was actually pretty mellow so he begrudgingly crawled into the small space that he couldn’t even spread his legs out in. He had to hug his knees up to his chest to fit. The second he was in the closet she slammed the door in his face without even telling him how long he had to be there.

It was cold, freezing and there wasn’t any light. Just chilling darkness. So he sat on the cold, cement floor hugging his knees in the cramp space trying his hardest not to cry because that’s not what men do. So the feeling of worthlessness slammed into his gut, into his heart when he lost the internal battle. He could barely reach his arms up to wipe the tears from his eyes because the space was so tight.

It wasn’t his Svan’s fault. She was beautiful and amazing. Maren just came off strong and cruel because she had a hard life. She grew up in the streets so she was just trying to be strong. Alger felt it was his fault for failing her time after time and this last fuck up was a huge one. All his Svan wanted the Kingdom that was rightfully hers and he couldn’t even give her that.

Alger sat on the cold floor trying to think of ways to fix this. He kept coming up with one over and over again but it was just too evil. His Svan would no doubt try it in a split second because she was much bolder than him but Alger found it too horrible. He couldn’t disenchant another Unicorn. Being one, he knew just how painful that would be and not just physically so Alger was fully determined not to even mention it to his Svan.

Until, of course, she finally, after hours (Alger counted) opened the door, still glowering down at him.

“I’ve cooked you some food. Had you been a good boy, you could have cooked as good Unicorns do.” She hissed at him and Alger hung his head. “But I’ll end you’re punishment if you can come up with a way to redeem yourself.” Alger looked up at her, blinking at the light from the hall shining in the doorway.

He just wanted her to touch him, gentle and softly as she did the few, very few times she was actually pleased with him. He just wanted to see her smile and to call him a good boy. He just desperately wanted her approval. He continued to look up at her though, not saying anything yet.

She smiled a little, “You are allowed to speak.”

“Well…we could disenchant him.” Alger said quietly, more because he didn’t want to say it at all. She looked down at him in confusion that was on the edge of anger and he most certainly didn’t want any more of her anger.

“What good would that do? The High Oracles will just select that other buffoon as the King because he was the runner up.”

“Exactly, I know Isaac and he’s easy to control. He could be our pawn and then later, when we’re in the position to, well move him out the way too.” Alger said it all quickly because she was starting to close the door. She stopped and opening it again, looking down at him in thought.

“That could actually work. I kept thinking in quick terms but you’re actually right for once. This is a long term thing.” She said. He flinched at the jab but stayed quiet. She thought on it a little longer before she smiled, reaching down to rub his cheek. But Alger didn’t get excited yet, she still might slam the door in his face again. She has pulled tricks like that before. “Good boy, come out the closet.” Alger chanced a smile then and crawled out the cramped space. “The boy will be in his new chambers later this evening. You’ll sneak in and do it tonight.” Alger stared up at her in horrified shock.

“I’m not raping a child!” Alger shouted. She scowled at him, kicking him in the ribs before she opened the closet door again. “NO! What I meant was we shouldn’t do it now. We need to get to know Isaac a little better first, make sure he’s fully in our grasp and we need followers. It won’t do any good if we have no friends.” Alger said quickly, just throwing the first thought that came to mind. She nodded at him; Alger took that to mean continue. “We should at least wait until at least five years to get everything set up and we need a plan. A huge, thorough plan.” The Unicorn finished, hoping to God she will be pleased with his idea. If not, her new punishment would be horrific. Alger knew this for sure.

She nodded slowly, “Okay that sounds good. Good boy.” She said rubbing his cheek and guided him up to his feet. Alger chanced a small sigh of relief and smiled a little, not expecting the quick peck on the lips she gave him. He usually didn’t receive affections like that. “Yes, it’s perfect. Well gather some friends. Some like-minded people and then well run the Unicorns and Vampires who oppose us out of town.” She said with an evil twinkle in her eye.

“Run them out of town?” Alger repeated, guilt already rolling in his gut. He knew she was about to come up with something terrifying. “How?”

“We’ll start killing them off.” Maren said, totally unashamed.

Alger’s jaw dropped, “B-b-but Maren, Svan, baby, I can’t do that. I can’t be party to that. Those are my people. I, myself, am a Unicorn.”

She disregarded him completely, “Yes, and that was a good idea. Gather some friends. We’ll divide and conquer. We’ll rise above those idiots who call themselves the High Oracles. Some buffoons they are.”

“Maren, I won’t-” He tried though he sounded weak and pathetic, even to himself.

“SILENCE!” She barked, cutting him off and he snapped his mouth shut. “You will do whatever I tell you to do because I am your Svan and you have to obey me.” She said as she roughly turned him around and pushed him up against the wall. He knew that whatever she was about to do was going to be extremely painful as most of his punishments were. She undid his uniform and pushed his pants down to his thighs. “Tell me Alger and this might not be as tormenting as it can be. Tell me you’ll do whatever I tell you to do.” Alger stayed quiet because killing off his own kind was not something he wanted to do. She snarled and walked down the hall; he considered running away before she reappeared with something in her hands he couldn’t see, didn’t want to see. “Tell me Alger!” She growled in his ear but he stayed silent until the pain started.

“I’ll obey you!” Alger cried out, willing himself not to scream or cry.

"I didn't hear you." She taunted in his ear and damned if she didn't sound amused.

"I'll obey you. I'll do whatever you tell me to do." Alger chocked out, hating himself for his own words. He had just agreed to hunt down his own kind any that just made him want to retch all over the floor.

"Good boy." Maren smirked in his ear but the punishment was far from through so Alger just tried to grin and bear.

5 Years Later

Howard woke up with the distinct feeling that something would go wrong today or perhaps tomorrow. He was still a pessimist but not as bad as he had been when he was a child so he didn’t know why he felt so cautious. The now teenager climbed out of bed, took a shower, brushed his teeth, and got ready for the day just like he did every day but he was jumpy, being startled by every little sound. But he figured he was just a little off today and went down the hall to the royal breakfast he passed by his father along the way who only sneered at him before he entered his chambers. Howard didn’t care in the slightest; he was quite happy with his father not speaking to him at all.

“You’re worried; what’s on your mind.” Peggy said immediately from the chair she was sitting in, playing Angry Birds on her phone, when he entered the dining room. Howard sighed and sat down at the head of the table, motioning for the waitress to serve him some coffee. “That’s bad for you.” She said but Howard ignored her and took a huge gulp, wishing he had waited until it had cooled before he did so but he wasn’t too burned so he just took another gulp. When he sat the cup down, she was staring at him expectantly.

“There’s nothing wrong Peggy. I’m not worried about anything.” Howard said tiredly. He hadn’t slept well last night. The Nymph looked at him in concern for a moment before she sighed and moved to a chair beside him.

“Why did you ask me to sit on your council if you aren’t going to utilize me?” She said and Howard resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He wasn’t even bothered by her; he just felt…weird.

“I don’t know Peggy. I just feel like today is…I don’t know. Just feel off you know.” He said. She nodded and patted his hand.

“Well you have a lot to do today? It’s the last day of all your training which is extremely surprising because they took you through it so vigorously and quickly. The other Unicorns your age aren’t even near finished with their training.” Peggy said and Howard nodded slowly. He had been wondering about that; the Elder Advisors have been pushing him to his limits and beyond with training for the past five years. Almost as if they were afraid they wouldn’t be able to finish it in time. In time for what, Howard never knew.

“It will not happen swiftly and you will experience a lot of pain before you reach you’re throne but it will come and don’t ever forget it. Okay?” Howard remembered Greatest Eirene tell him at his first ordination. It sent a shiver down his spine and he immediately put a hand on his glowing horn at his side. “This weapon will be your most prized possession. It will never lose it glow or power even if you are disenchanted.”

“Man, you okay?” Fury asked; breaking Howard’s worried train of thought. Howard looked up to find the Elder Advisors standing alongside Fury looking at him in deep concern. The King shook himself a little.

“Yeah, I’m perfectly fine.” Howard said with a reassuring smile. They all nodded slowly, sitting down at the table and started to discuss the business of the day. The Elder’s asked his opinion on some of the dealing of the city and Howard tried to answer them to the best of his ability but he was distracted. He still had that gnawing, grating feeling that something terrible was going to happen but he couldn’t figure out how it would happen or when.

It would be nearly impossible for someone to get close enough to him do something as severe as disenchant him. He has over a hundred guards who are constantly at his side; Nick, Peggy and very soon Thor, when he is ordained into the council later that day, would give their lives to protect him, and not to mention the fact that Howard was highly, very highly trained in combat as well as highly talented. He could take down an army with one blast from his wand if he was under dire circumstances. Without his horn, he was a superior fighter, knowing multiple forms of martial arts and he hasn’t even mentioned the powers he has as being a Unicorn alone. Granted he hasn’t fully learned how to use those powers yet, he wouldn’t learn that until his next step in training (because apparently there will be more after his next ordination) but the point was, who the hell could get close enough to him to hurt him.

Howard sighed and tried to push the worry out of his mind. It was a foolish worry; nothing could happen to him. Howard hoped.

~*~

Maren was excited. She seemed to always get excited when she was about to do something evil. Alger looked at her bustle around the house with an actual smile on her face.

“Why do you look so depressed?” Isaac asked him. “It’s not that bad. You don’t even have to come inside of him. Just thrust in him once and get the fuck out of there. I, however, might stick around to finish the job.” The other wicked Unicorn said with a smirk, bumping Alger with his elbow.

Alger sighed; honestly he was just as wicked as his Svan and friend if he was going to be party to it. “He’s a child. Not to mention it’s extremely cruel. How would you feel if someone disenchanted you?!” Alger hissed lowly, he didn’t want Maren to hear his disagreement. That didn’t work out so well for him last time.

“He’s not a child. He’s fifteen, practically an adult. And it’s not happening to me so I don’t care. Don’t let Maren hear you talking like this. She’ll take it out on both of us.” Isaac said and Alger nodded shakily, turning back to the stove. Why Isaac was submissive to Maren was a complete mystery to him. He had no reason to be but he would follow every command Maren threw at him and took every punishment. Alger didn’t even know a person could be that weak. He certainly wouldn’t have let someone else’s Svan control him if he had a choice. Hell if he had a choice, he wouldn’t let his Svan control him.

“I can’t believe everything is going according to plan.” Maren said gleefully as she walked into the kitchen and sat at the island. Isaac moved to sit beside her but her grim glare made him chose the seat furthest away. Alger smiled to himself. No matter how cruel his Svan got, she still really didn’t want anyone other than him. Alger served her and fixed his own plate then sat down. Isaac glared at him but got up to fix his own plate which was smart of him. “Our friends who are parading around as the King’s Guards told me they will take care of everything. All you and Isaac have to do is sneak up to his mansion at the dark of night to the furthest door on the east end. Caleb will meet you there and lead you to the Highest’s chambers and he’ll let you in. That’s all; isn’t it amazing?” She beamed and Alger faked a smile while Isaac beamed right alongside her.

What made Alger feel even sicker was that this was his plan. He thought this entire plan up but he never thought she would go through with it. He did manager to convince her to not kill off Unicorns and Vampires as much as just capture their Svan and Taran so they could control their soulmates. A Unicorn and Vampire would do anything to keep their soulmates safe so it was perfect. A few have died along the way these past five years but Alger tired his hardest to keep the murders at a minimal. However, this new plan resulted in a host of humans and Keepers being locked in their basement as they spoke. Later, when he got the chance, Alger would sneak down there and feed them.

“We shall have the throne soon.” She said smiling; rubbing Alger’s cheek and damned if he didn’t lean into her touch. She so rarely touched him and it was the sparse bits of affection he receive that kept him on her side because damn instinct!

Alger faked a smile again and tried to eat but really, he had long lost his appetite.

~*~

“Congratulations, you have finished you’re training.” Greatest Julius said as Howard finished his finals with all ease. The last tests were supposed to be hard but Howard had so much training that he barely broke a sweat. So why was he still so damn jumpy!

“Thank you Greatest Julius.” Howard said as the man dressed in yellow walked out to him in the field. The Nymph put a hand on his shoulder when he reached him.

“You did wonderful but you seemed a little down. What’s wrong?” The Oracle said with something sympathetic in his eyes. Despite his words on the teenager’s demeanor, Howard felt his mood lighten but that was expected with Julius being the Oracle of happiness and all.

“Oh nothing, just me and my pessimistic mind.” Howard said easily and Julius rolled his eyes fondly.

“Well Greatest Eirene has asked for you in the garden.” The Nymph said and Howard nodded. “Your celebration will start in about two hours so be ready by then.”

“Of course Greatest Julius, I’ll see you there.” Howard said waving over his shoulder as he walked towards the Royal Garden. He got to the entrance and stopped, looking at some of his favorite flowers. He had the distinct feeling that he wouldn’t see them again for a very long time. He pushed that thought, that fear aside when he saw a woman dressed in red and moved towards her. “Hello Greatest Eirene.” He greeted her when he met up with her and she smiled with something sympathetic in her eyes.

“Howard, congratulations on the completion of your training.” She said and she hugged him. “I am so proud of you.” He smiled; the Elder Advisors have become like parents to him and he was so grateful for that seeing how his father didn’t care much for him and his mother died in childbirth.

“Thank you Eirene.” Howard said and she smiled.

“You have been feeling apprehensive, haven’t you?” She stated not asked and Howard sighed before he nodded. “Walk with me.” She said and he followed her as she started walking through the garden. “Howard, what have I kept telling you all these years?” She said and it really wasn’t helping Howard’s worry.

“That I was the most pessimistic Unicorn in history.” Howard said, beating around the bush and she chuckled.

“Yes, but I’ve also been telling you that the throne is yours, you will just not reach it as soon as you think.” She said turning to him. Howard stopped and a shiver ran through him. She just confirmed his more fearful thoughts.

“But Eirene, I can’t – I don’t want…” He trailed off, pacing. “But why and how can I avoid whatever that’s about to happen.”

“Because your Kingdom has been divided.” She said, putting a hand on his should to stop his movement. “What have we taught you?”

“That a King needs to remain calm in all situations, even hopeless ones.” He repeated without missing a beat and he stilled himself.

“Perfect, and there is no way to avoid anything. If you try, you will just post-pone the events and make everything worse.” She said and Howard resisted the urge to fidget or pace.

“So I’m fucked either way, no pun intended.” Howard said grimly and she sighed. “Wait a minute, the Kingdom is divided.” Howard said, upset with himself for not catching that before since the Kingdom should kind of be his main concern. “How? I haven’t seen anything other than peace.”

“Peace, right now is a myth. There’s trouble brewing in Ethereal and it’s only a matter of time before it boils over. When it does, it will be severe.” She said. Howard looked at her; he has seen many of her expressions from disappointment to anger but never the fear she was wearing now. So that means he should be pretty fucking afraid himself. And he was.

“What’s going to happen?” He asked. She sighed and attempted a reassuring smile.

“Don’t worry about it now, just late fate fall into place. For now, let’s celebrate.” She said as she started walking back up to the mansion. Howard stood there in shock for a moment. Leave it to a Nymph to get him all excited and then just leave him hanging.

~*~

Howard laid in his bed staring up at the ceiling in the pitch black of his room. It was painted; had all the portraits of the previous Highests of Ethereal up there which really creeped the hell out of him when he first spent the night in this room and to be honest, it still did. But right now he couldn’t see it. It was too dark. All he saw were some indistinct shapes, visible from the shine of the moonlight from his bedroom window. Howard closed his eyes, trying to even out his breathing; he felt like all his energy was being drained from his body, like someone was just syphoning out his blood. He was calm, surprisingly. Apparently all that training paid off for whatever use it would be now.

“You will experience a lot of pain before you reach you’re throne but it will come.” Howard kept hearing in the back of his mind. He doesn’t know if he actually believed it, so that’s why he was calm or if he didn’t believe it at all and always knew that something would happen to destroy his ounce of happiness eventually so he just wasn’t that surprised.

Howard moved to sit up, crying out when pain shot through his body. Though he hadn’t been crying; the whole thing had been extremely painful but he had yet to shed one single tear even though Greatest Celia taught him that there was nothing wrong with a King shedding some tears. It meant he wasn’t heartless. Howard guessed he was still in shock.

How did he let this happen? He had guards outside his door and all the doors to the mansion were locked so an intruder shouldn’t have been able to enter unless… Betrayal hit Howard harder than the assault did, made him feel even more worthless. One of his guards must have let those bastards in. Fucking asshole. If he ever found out who it was, he was going to kill him. Then he remembered Greatest Eliza’s words about a King not seeking for revenge. It wasn’t harmonious and a King’s Kingdom should always have harmony.

Howard laughed at himself, a dry, humorless, bitter laugh. Here he was thinking about the Kingdom as if it were still his. But perhaps it was in time. Howard lifted his hand to the lamp beside his bed but paused just as he touched the switch. He was afraid to turn the light on, afraid of what he would see. Those bastards were gone; he heard them leave his room but he was still so extremely fearful. Howard did manage to turn it on though. In the light he saw that he was trembling. He had known that, had felt it but he really hadn’t noticed it until he saw his hand shake as he pulled it away from the lamp.

He looked down at his thighs. There were thick streams of silver running down them. It was pooling in the bed sheets, running down his legs, down the back of his knees. He was still in so much pain. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His breathing had been sharp and shallow but was evening out now as he come to fully realize what just happened. Which was strange because it should have upset him even more.

He put his finger in one of the silver streams running down his leg, smearing it on his fingers. Silver blood. Only pure bred Unicorns had silver blood with potent healing power among other powerful uses. His blood couldn’t heal him but it could heal any and everyone else. Howard came from a long line of pure bred Unicorns so his blood was very powerful. It burned the second guy who took his turn. The first one hadn’t ripped him because he hadn’t been that forceful during it but the second one was fierce in his attack.

“Isaac.” Howard muttered to himself, just now remembering his face. “That motherfucker.” If he got his Kingdom back, he was going to kill the traitor despite whatever Greatest Eliza said. Howard wiped his hand off on the bed and lifted his hand, summoning his horn. That was another reason this whole incident was his fault. How could he let someone take his most prized possession? Howard growled at himself as the ever glowing weapon appeared in the window and came towards him. But then again, maybe this wasn’t his fault. Destiny and all as Greatest Eirene said.

When he grabbed his horn, Howard slowing eased to the edge of the bed, wincing as another shock of pain struck his body. He tried to stand but his legs were weak and he fell on the floor. Howard laughed hysterically because how ironic, a fallen King. But then he started crying, bitterly and painfully crying his eyes out because he was indeed a fallen King.

He couldn’t stop his tears but he did manage to get out of a highly emotional state long enough to reach his phone. He had thought about just leaving in the dark of night and never returning to Ethereal again to avoid the humiliation of having his crime being presented to the whole Kingdom. But he was going to take it boldly and like a man because that’s what a good King was supposed to do. Fallen or no.

His crime because as a Unicorn he was supposed to preserve his virginity until he met his Svan, his soulmate. If a Unicorn gave it away before they met their Svan then they were disenchanted. In a case like his, where the Unicorn had been raped then they could be re-enchanted but only if they found their Svan and could have their forgiveness and love. So maybe this whole thing was a plan, because the only way Howard could find his Svan was to leave Ethereal. His soulmate was not another Unicorn like his ancestors, he would have been born with half a heart shaped birthmark on his wrist had he been. Another reason Howard always felt like a failure and why his father always treated him like one: he was ending their long line of pure bred Unicorns.

Howard typed in Nick’s number on his phone. His silver blood was smearing on the screen but Howard didn’t care as he put the phone up to his ear then nearly froze, putting a hand on his stomach as a new possibility crossed his mind though he hoped to God that it wasn’t true. If he were to have a child he would want it to be his Svan’s, not some rapist’s child.

A groggy “hello” from the other line of the phone he still had on his ear broke Howard from his near panic.

“N-Nick, I…” Howard chocked, having no idea what to say. “I need you.” Was all he managed to whisper through his tears and actually managed a small, sad smile when Nick immediately said, “On my way!”

~*~

Steve and Bucky were playing in a park outside their home. The two were sitting on the ground, rolling a ball to each other when a huge commotion started. People started filling the streets and walking towards the Center. Bucky walked over to Steve and picked him up. He was only two years old and Bucky didn’t want him to get lost in the crowd. He was four years older than him so he had to keep little Stevie protected.

He carried Steve to the center, following the crowd to see what all the commotion was about. He was too short to see above the crowd so he had to climb a tree –one handed, which proved to be a challenge- to see what was going on. He couldn’t really tell what all the rumpus was about but it looked like a Unicorn was being outcasted. Bucky looked down at the people; his mom had told him that if a Unicorn was being outcasted it was because they were a disgrace and had done something bad to deserved it but the people didn’t look like they were angry. They actually looked like they felt sorry for him so that couldn’t be right.

“I don’t care what rumor says Jolie; I don’t think our King would have done that. He’s too honorable.” Bucky heard someone in the crowd say.

“I know but I’d rather it be his fault then the alternative. That means he was forced.” The other woman said and they both shook their heads.

“Poor thing, I don’t even think he should be outcasted for that.” The first lady said.

Bucky was confused. Was the King being outcasted? Why? He had liked the King and what had the King been forced to do? Bucky looked on in disappointment.

“What’s going on Bucky?” Steve asked in his infant voice.

“I don’t know buddy.” Bucky replied, mostly distracted by the events happening on the Stage.

“Don drob me.” Steve said looking down at the far off ground and Bucky hugged him close.

“Don’t worry; I won’t.” He said, kissing Steve’s cheek before he looked back at the action on the stage. The High Oracles were there and they handed the King two thick books that he put his backpack before they escorted him off the stage.

“You want to go see what’s going on?” Bucky said as he watched the outcasted Unicorn walk through the middle of the crowd though he didn’t look like someone who was just outcasted. He walked with his head high and his shoulder’s broad. He walked like someone with dignity. The crowd didn’t react the way Bucky expected either. Instead of throwing insults at him like his mom said they would the crowd cheered sadly, saying that he was a good King. The Unicorn smiled a little as he walked through.

“Yeah.” Steve said, giggling when Bucky tickled him a little. Bucky climbed down from the tree, careful to not drop Steve as he did so and ran to the edge of the court where there were less people. He hid behind some trees as he watched the Unicorn walk out the crowd and kept going. Wondering where he was headed, Bucky followed him. Staying very quiet as he did so. He told Steve to stay quiet too so the little boy didn’t say a word.

They kept going until they reached the woodlands that circled around Ethereal. Bucky’s mother had always told him to never go in the woodlands because monsters eat little Keeper children in the woods. Bucky had never really believed it but he wasn’t going to chance his luck either. There was a cement path that seemed wide enough for a car. Bucky had never seen a car before. He heard his parents talking about the people of the outside world having them and he heard them say it was some sort of transportation device or something. But everyone in Ethereal walked so he had never had much interest in seeing one either.

Just as he reached the beginning of the path, they guy paused, sighing. He looked behind him but Bucky jump behind a garbage can just quick enough, peeking around the corner to see if the King was going through the woods. Though he wished he had chosen a better hiding place because it smelled back there. He covered Steve’s tiny nose so he wouldn’t have to smell it. The guy looked directly at his hiding place for a long time; it was almost a warning stare that clearly said ‘Do not follow me!’ This was weird because Bucky could have sworn he went unseen. Finally, the Unicorn turned and started walked down path. And since it seemed safe for him Bucky decided to follow him. The sides of the road were decorated with flowers and bushes so Bucky stayed near the edge, ducking behind the bushes if he thought the guy was going to turn around.

He had stayed quiet and so had Steve. Neither of them had made a single sound, didn’t even step on a twig or anything but for some reason the guy stopped walking all of a sudden and starting walking back. Bucky had hidden behind a rose bush before the guy had even turned around so he figured he was alright until the Unicorn walked straight to his hiding place, kneeling down to their level. Bucky clutched Steve tight in his arms though he didn’t think the King would hurt them but the King’s eyes were amethyst and he hadn’t expected that. Bucky had never met a Unicorn with amethyst eyes before because Unicorns usually weren’t sad in Ethereal.

“What are you doing way out here?” The guy said kindly, managing a small smile despite his eye color.

“I was following you.” Bucky admitted. “I wanted to make sure a monster didn’t eat you, that way I could call for help.” The guy chuckled.

“Well, there are no monsters on the road here but if you go out in the woods something bad might happen so you better hurry home.” The Unicorn said standing but Bucky didn’t move.

“Are you coming too? I’ll beat up a monster if they try to hurt you.” Bucky said and he knew he sounded ridiculous because the King was obviously older than but right now he looked like he needed someone to protect him.

The guy chuckled again but not dismissively, “You’re a Dragon aren’t you.” He asked and Bucky nodded. “Well I’ll be alright. I think you should get the baby home.”

“Em not a baby!” Steve argued immediately and the guy laughed a little.

“Of course not.” The King said and he turned around, heading in the opposite direction of Ethereal.

“You’re going the wrong way.” Bucky said and the Unicorn sighed before he turned back to them.

“I can’t go back.” He said and his eyes turned a deeper amethyst.

“Why not? You’re our King.” Bucky said. The Unicorn sighed again.

“No, not anymore. I was disenchanted and outcasted.” He answered before turning around again. Bucky turned to Ethereal but he just couldn’t go back, not yet.

“Be very, very quiet.” Bucky whispered to Steve again. The boy nodded, wrapping his arms around the Dragon’s neck. Bucky even quieter followed the King again. When they go to edge of the woods, nothing could have prepared Bucky for what he saw. There were people and CARS. He had thought that they were tall and skinny but they were short and broad. It was amazing. Though he’s pretty sure he still didn’t make a sound when the King turned around, quirking an eyebrow at him.

“How come you keep finding me?” Bucky asked and the guy smiled a little.

“I have a few gifts.” He said walking back to him and kneeling to his level again. “The outside world is too dangerous for Keeper children. Go back to your parents okay?”

“But why were you outcasted and disenchanted? It doesn’t seem fair.” Bucky said, wishing he could wipe the amethyst out of the King’s eyes. He looked too sad with it.

“Why?” The guy repeated and shrugged. “I was outcasted because I was disenchanted. I was disenchanted because…some people are very, very cruel.” He said before he stood and started walking down the path again. “And it’s my destiny.” He said, waving at them before he disappeared into the crowd of people walking by. Bucky was tempted to follow him but the people looked really mean so he hurried back to town wondering what was going to happen now that the true King was gone.