Darker Beginnings

Chapter 1

 He sat up rapidly from his cozy bed, out of breath and shaking. He looked around rapidly, getting a swift grip on his surroundings.

Simply another nightmare.
He looked to his wife by his side, she sleeping peacefully. Not wanting to wake her, he got up and began to walk through the halls. Looking up at the moon always seemed to calm him, no matter how disoriented or afraid he was. As he passed by his son's room, he neglected to see him walk towards the door way, watching him as he passed him by. He seemed shaken, and in concern he got his father's attention.
"Dad?" he asked. Noroi quickly glanced back at his son, Natsu, looking away and sighing.
"Go back to bed, son, you have school tomorrow." Noroi said, masking his sadness. Natsu approached him, hugging him.
"I like the moon too. And I can't sleep." he said. Noroi looked into his honest eyes; the boy was nearly 16 yet his eyes retained the innocence of a newborn child. Noroi gave in, walking with Natsu onto the balcony and gazing up at the stars. He could tell the time by the moon alone. It was 4 AM. He and Natsu sat on some chairs sitting outdoors, Noroi crossing his legs and Natsu sitting normally. Noroi looked to him, chuckling.
"So what's the real reason you're up this late?" he asked, pulling a smile to reassure to Natsu that all was swell. Natsu looked to Noroi with sadness clouding his eyes, sighing.
"We...had a lesson about you in history today." he said. Noroi felt his heart sink, looking away.
"Oh..." he said somberly. Natsu looked to him, mildly upset.
"You...uh...You really did all those things...? Scarred Aria...Killed your parents...ruled with an iron fist...?" he asked. Noroi gulped hard, owning up to his wrongs and nodding.
"Yes. In fact...My nightmare was about that. Killing Kyoki and Crescent...my mom and dad....I squashed their hearts like a cheap stress doll and practically danced on their graves...They did nothing but give me what I wanted and I did...that." he said. Natsu tapped Noroi, he looking back to Natsu.
"What made you change all that? From the moment I was born you've been a stellar dad and have even gotten some protection from Queen Anasta herself in case anyone brought up your wrongs in a non-historical sense. What made you quit?" he asked. Noroi blushed a bit, smiling and feeling his heart flutter.
"Your mother, Autumn Leaf. She's as gorgeous as she was when I met her to this day, even after having you, our little gift. She was being watched over by Aria because she was the next Angel of Fire. We fixed a Spirit Path and got alot of credit for it. While Aria was there, she gave Autumn Leaf and I a job at the Unity. She's trying to find my emblem but for now I have half the power of a full fledged Angel like Furaito or Gianna recently." he explained. Natsu awed, hugging Noroi.
"Well I'm glad you did, dad. You're the best dad ever!" he said cheerfully. Noroi smiled, ruffling his hair, laughing.
"And from the day you were born you've been the best son I could ever ask for." Noroi said. They suddenly heard someone clear their throats, looking to the balcony door and seeing a tired-but-happy Autumn Leaf.
"What's this all about, boys?" she asked, leaning against the door and smiling. Noroi sighed a bit.
"I had another nightmare. The parent one. Natsu decided to look at the moon with me." he said. Autumn Leaf yawned, leading the two inside.
"Okay, boys. Back to bed." she said. Natsu laughed.
"But mom! I have to go to the bus at 6! Can't I stay up?" he asked. Autumn Leaf knelt down to him ever so slightly, motherly kissing his forehead.
"You need sleep, hun. You have school tomorrow and from what your social studies teacher has emailed me about, you need sleep to stay awake for your economics quiz tomorrow." she said, smiling but crossing her arms. Natsu chuckled a bit embarrassingly, closing his door.
"Okay, mom, okay. Night." he said, closing his door.
"Good Night, hun. Love you." Autumn Leaf said.
"Love you too, mom." he said, shutting it fully. Noroi looked to Autumn Leaf, rubbing the back of his head.
"So...how much did you hear?" he asked. Autumn Leaf set her hands on his shoulders, smiling warmly to him.
"About how you changed for me, you love machine~." she said, kissing his cheek. Noroi smiled and blushed.
"Aw but hun, I mean it. You're worth this entire galaxy and more to me. You're my everything." he said, taking her hands gingerly into his. Autumn Leaf smiled, kissing his lips and leading him to bed.
"We have to sleep to, hun. Anasta said that tomorrow is Gianna's initiation party since she finally did her angelic duty a few days ago." she said, Noroi smiled, climbing into bed with her and sneakily spooning her.
"I know, I know," he said. Autumn Leaf moved his hand around her waist, kissing him as she turned around a bit.
"Night, Nor. Love you." she said. Noroi snuggled up against her heat, purring as he dozed off.
"Love you too."


***


Natsu walked towards the towering brick schoolhouse, smile on his face and wind in his spikes. He went to his locker, unlocking it and exchanging stuff from his backpack into the cold iron storage. Suddenly, he felt a tap to his back, looking back and seeing his friends. One was Arachia, one was a male Hedge-fox named Ruco, and the other was Ariana, who according to rumor was adopted by Anasta and Vriska.
"Hey Natsu!" Arachia said. "What's happening?" she asked. Natsu closed the locker door, sighing a bit.
"I have a quiz in social studies today. I mean...I studied a bit on the bus ride here but I don't know." Natsu said doubtfully. Ruco patted his shoulder, smiling warmly down to him.
"I'm sure you'll do great." he said. Natsu felt Ruco kiss his cheek, he purring.
"T-Thanks, Ruco." he said. Ruco pulled away, rushing off to his class. Natsu went to his classroom, sitting down swiftly and studying what he could before the test started. Suddenly, he saw a shadow over him.
"Hey, shadow boy, what are you reading?" it asked. Natsu sighed angrily, flopping his ears.
"Leave me alone, Luke." he said, using his book to block him. Luke knocked it onto the floor, smirking carelessly down to him.
"Oops! My bad, dude." he said, slapping Natsu hard on the back and walking to his seat three desks behind Natsu, muttering.
"Good thing I didn't do what your dad does, demon."
Natsu sighed, picking his book back up and reading more. Suddenly, the PA bell rung. Natsu's social studies teacher, a courteous and energetic human, took attendance, smiling wide.
"Okay, girls and boys! It's Thursday and you know what that means!" he said. The class as a whole seemed to sigh.
"Quiz day." They all said in unison. The teacher chuckled, grabbing a stack of papers off his desk.
"I know it's no fun, kids, but we have to get more points to mask the test we took a few days ago about the Era of Aria and King Noroi. Alot of us seemed to struggle with that." he said. Natsu heard Luke chuckle.
"I bet Natsu got an A+. That miserable excuse of a hedgehog is his dad." he muttered. Natsu sighed, looking at his desk. Suddenly, the teacher glared at him.
"Actually, Natsu got an 85. You're in no position to talk smack about Noroi, Luke. He's a Unity Angel now, and his son is sitting in the same row as you. If you have no decency to spare some mercy and forgive, perhaps you'd wish to share your insight on Noroi and his son to the principal? Maybe she'd like to hear what you have to say about her favorite Unity Angel." the teacher threatened. Luke shook a bit, sitting back in his chair.
"Relax, teach, I was just joking." he said. The teach narrowed his eyes a bit,
"That's what I thought. Now, this quiz is over what we've covered the last two weeks; the way economics in the Kingdom of Light work as well as how King GoldenEye practically stole from many working class citizens for well over 50 years." he said. As he finished handing out the tests, the classroom went silent and Natsu used what he vaguely remembered to answer the questions.


***


Noroi yawned a bit, walking out into the sun with Autumn Leaf while he held and umbrella. Autumn Leaf held his hand, lightly poking his shoulder.
"You sleep better after last night?" she asked. Noroi nodded to her, smiling.
"Definitely." he said. As they walked towards the castle, Gianna walked near them, seeming to be rapidly texting someone. Noroi kept his head a bit low, but Autumn Leaf was quick to start a conversation.
"Hey Gianna! Excited for your first day?" she asked. Gianna scoffed a bit, putting her phone in her pocket and looking to her.
"We both know Anasta just finds me joining as an excuse to party and get drunk. If we even reach anything to do today, I'll consider this meeting a success." she said. Noroi chuckled a bit.
"So I heard Majikka broke your mirror. Did she ever say why she came out or left the Hereafter?" he asked. Gianna sighed a bit, rubbing her forehead as they entered the castle, Orion holding the door open for the coming Angels.
"Apparently, she couldn't put up with Nikko and Korosu anymore so she mustered up the magic to come to exist in this timeline. I mean it's nice but she's starting to get on my nerves." she said. Noroi awed, looking away upon hearing his grandfather's name. Entering the meeting room for the Unity, Gianna was shocked to find no party materials. She blinked a bit, Ultimate chuckling at her.
"What's wrong, Gianna?" he asked, "I thought you don't like parties? If anything this is Anasta respecting your wishes." he said. Gianna sat in her chair after getting a mug of coffee, holding her head.
"I suppose so. That or she knew Majikka would become a pain in my ass and decided not to give me headache-inducing music and decorations. Either way when she gets here, a thank you is in order." she said while holding her forehead. As the Angels gathered, Anasta got to the front of the room, clearing her throat.
"Aria's running a bit behind, we won't start the meeting without her, but let's welcome Gianna into our humble Unity!" she said while clapping. The other Angels clapped with her, Gianna scoffing a bit.
"Don't kid yourselves. Until we all regroup together we're a bit pathetic. I mean, who do we have here? 12 out of 20. We're short on people. And three people here don't even have their emblems." she said, Orion and Emmy looking to each other before proceeding to drink their coffee as if nothing was said. Sonic, on the other hand, pouted a bit.
"I'm sure we'll find them Gianna, relax." he said, trying to pacify the situation.
"We don't even know where the other ones are. Or if they're even born yet." she said. Anasta sighed a bit, chuckling afterwards.
"But that doesn't mean we can't have hope." Anasta said with a warm smile.
"Says you. You're the Angel of Hope." Gianna retorted. Suddenly, the doors opened, a hooded figure entering. Anasta smiled.
"Have any trouble coming here, Aria?" Anasta asked. Aria pulled down her hood, relaxing a bit as she made herself coffee.
"Nope! The flight here was great. Ulti beat me here cause we had a bet of who'd get here first." she said, carrying her mug to her seat at the front end of the table and holding Ultimate's hand, touching the coffee to her lips with the other. Anasta walks to her seat and folded her hands.
"What's the bet?" Emmy asked. Aria set her mug down, chuckling.
"Whoever lost had to do something tonight." she said chuckling. Ultimate chuckled lightly with her, Gianna dry gagging.
"Don't make me barf, you two. I already have Majikka making dirty jokes; I can't handle you two on top of it." she said. Aria straightened herself up, clearing her throat.
"You're right. Now, we need to address some things. Now, Noroi. Do you have any clue as to where your Emblem is? Have you studied your grandfather's crude notes and gathered an idea?" she asked. Noroi shook his head, sipping his cup to calm himself.
"Not a clue. I mean he said something about a scepter but at the same time-"
Aria suddenly stopped him, seeming interested.
"Did he describe the scepter?" she asked. Noroi nodded.
"It was akin to an obsidian staff used to defeat Majoni. Any idea what that may be?" he asked. Aria seemed to shake a bit, but smiled.
"O-On one hand...I'm happy you've forgotten your past so effectively, but on a more pressing matter....That scepter is the Scepter of Darkness. Yang and Ultra, the Holders of the Purity and Balance scepters, have fallen to age. You're the last one standing who has the power to hold that scepter. I remember Nikko saying that the Scepter of Darkness had a fragment of the Emblem of Darkness in it. In the center, where it's so dark not even light could escape it's grip. If you can find the scepter, that fragment inside will wish to reform back into the emblem, shattering that Scepter and crafting the whole Emblem of Darkness. Noroi, this is very valuable information. Thank you." she said, seemingly shaking. Noroi nodded, slouching back in his chair as Autumn Leaf held his hand.
"N-No problem, Aria." he said a bit sadly. Gianna looked to Anasta.
"So just a quick question, why didn't I get a party. Not that I'm asking for one in the slightest, but if Autumn Leaf and Aris and Ultimate got one, why can't I?" she asked. Anasta chuckled a bit.
"We're having it later. I got held back and couldn't get supplies. I'm sorry if you don't want a party, but it'd be considerate of you to come. It's in your honor, Gianna. I can make sure that Majikka doesn't come." she said. Gianna sighed a bit, but nodded slightly.
"Okay, I'll come. But don't make it huge. Like a small get together." she said. Anasta smiled.
"Whatever you slightly wish." she said.


***


Natsu opened the door with his house key, walking into his room and getting onto his phone, plugging the charger in the wall and seeing a text from Ruco.
"You tell your mom or dad about us yet?" he asked. Natsu sighed, texting back.
"No. I'm afraid of how they'll take it. Especially my dad." he said. Ruco took a minute to reply.
"Is it because of what he did? Babe, it'll be okay. He's changed." he said.
"I don't know. Sometimes I see him smile the same way he did in those drawings artists did of their final battle; between him and Aria." he said.
"And who's still alive? Noroi. Aria's gone, and Noroi's changed alot for your mom. If you need it I can head over there and give you some courage. We can do it together." it read. Natsu felt himself blush a bit, smiling and texting back.
"That sounds great. Be here when you can. Love you <3" he texted.
"Love you too, bro." he messaged back. Natsu set his phone on the charger and started making himself some lunch, which was essentially a microwave grilled cheese. He then sat down to start playing some games before Noroi and Autumn Leaf waltzed in through the door. Shocked, he stood up.
"Mom! Dad! I thought you guys were at work!" he said, trying to seem unnerved by Ruco's impending arrival.
"Anasta let us go early, she's hosting a party later tonight for Gianna and we're going to go get our dress and tuxedo from the dry cleaner's. We'll be back later tonight, okay? Your mom just had to grab her phone. I know I've left you alone before but-" Noroi was stopped by Natsu's smile, he chuckling.
"I'll be okay, guys. Just have fun!" he said. Autumn Leaf came down the stairs, kissing Natsu's forehead and walking out with him. After they left, Natsu opened the door upon hearing a knock, seeing Ruco, sighing.
"They left for a party. They're not here." he said. Ruco sighed a bit, but suddenly perked his ears and held his hand.
"Hey...why don't we...Spend the day together?" Natsu stopped him, smiling.
"We're only gonna go as far as necks, okay?" he asked. Ruco smiled, nuzzling him.
"Anything you wish, hun." he said, sitting beside him on the couch, snuggling each other warmly.


***


Gianna sat a bit pouty on the chair, watching the rain outside. Anasta nudged her, chuckling.
"This...is your party...fam!" she said, hiccuping. Gianna rolled her eyes, pushing her into a chair beside her.
"You're drunk, Anasta. Go chill with Vriska." she said. Anasta nodded a bit disoriented, heading upstairs. Aria approached Gianna, draped in her hood to mask her identity. Gianna looked to her, scoffing a bit.
"How have you not been found out yet?" she asked. Aria looked to her, assuring that no one else at the party was looking.
"Ulti made a necklace that turns off my glow and electricity. It absorbs it and I retrieve it later." she said. Gianna 'ah'd, looking back into the crowd of people. Suddenly, Noroi and Autumn Leaf made their appearance, smiling.
"It's late, we're gonna head home. Natsu's expecting dinner." Noroi said, Autumn Leaf smiling and hugging him from the side.
"It was a fun party, Gianna! Can't wait to see you in a few days!" Autumn Leaf said. Gianna nodded, Aria groaning beside her. Noroi knelt to her.
"What's wrong?" he asked. Aria looked him in the eye, seeming to tear up.
"I feel really sick...Like...Really sick..." she muttered. Noroi, using his strategic thinking, called Ultimate, who his under an identical hood, to rush over. Noroi looked to him.
"Ultimate, Aria feels sick. Is there a way she could stay at my place? She's in no condition to fly or leave the ground." he said. Ultimate looked to Aria under the hood.
"You'll be okay, Ari? What about tonight? You lost the bet..." he said. Aria chuckled weakly, kissing him lovingly.
"We'll do that another time. You have my promises. I can't fly, and I'll get dizzy and throw up on you if you carry me. It's best I stay with a trusted friend away from people." she said. Ultimate sighed a bit, but nodded.
"Okay, Ari. I'll get you in the morning." he said. Holding her close and sharing one last passionate kiss, Ultimate exited out the back, flying the 100 mile trip to their house in the sky. Noroi, holding Aria up by her arm and having one cloaked arm around him, heard her groan and stumble in her steps. Noroi cleared his throat as he and Autumn Leaf left the castle, bidding their goodbyes to the Unity and their congratulations to Gianna.
"So...Do you think you're pregnant?" he asked. Aria laughed feebly.
"No, no. I got an operation done years ago to prevent that. I think I caught the flu Anasta got a while ago...I hope those meteors I saw a few hours ago don't circle and hurtle towards us..." she said. Noroi hushed her a bit, sighing.
"It's okay, we'll be at my house soon, and we'll set you down in our guest room." he said. Aria smiled wide.
"That'd be lovely..." she said. Autumn Leaf smiled.
"I don't think Natsu should know of your status...If he knew he'd tell his whole school." she said. Aria nodded slightly, watching droves of people pass them by, some looking at her, others asking Noroi if who he was carrying was okay, to which he'd reply with a yes. Suddenly, Aria tripped over herself, slamming into Noroi and causing him to step onto the back part of her hood that was dragged along the ground. It was yanked off her body, they in the town plaza, merely a block away from Noroi's home. She landed on the cobblestone path with a thud, groaning in pain before feeling her stomach sink.
No hood.
No hiding.
She looked up, a crowd forming and murmuring, many of them screaming and cheering.
"Aria's alive!?"
"Where was she all these years!?"
"Her fur isn't the same but those scars tell the story of Aria! What happened to her?!"
Aria circled up a bit, in pain from the falling and the sickness, Noroi and Autumn Leaf kneeling down beside her and shouting above them.
"S-Stop! She's hurt!" he called. The crowd wouldn't let up, still demanding answers. Suddenly, Anasta and Polara broke into the fray, Anasta gasping hard.
"Oh god...Aria...What happened?" she said, acting as shocked as she could, half of it genuine with her being found out. Polara glared to Aria, Aria making eye contact with her and gulping hard.
"Everyone...I'd love to explain my absence...But...But..." she coughed, landing on her hands on the ground, vomiting a bit. A few people groaned in disgust, Polara angrily walking away as Aria looked on, flopping her ears and holding her head.
"Ugh..." she muttered. Noroi picked her up, genuinely concerned for Aria's health.
"Everyone! Please! She'll explain when she feels better! Make way, please! She needs rest!" he called. As angered as the people were, they made a path for Noroi, Autumn Leaf, and Aria, Noroi swiftly taking her inside and putting her to bed, setting a trash can beside her, and tucking her in. Natsu, alone since Ruco left hours ago, saw and followed them, gasping.
"I-I-Is that...!?" he stuttered. Noroi sighed, nodding.
"Yeah...It's Aria...She'a alive..." he said sadly. Autumn Leaf patted Natsu's shoulder, Natsu looking up to her with fright.
"S-Should I keep it a secret or not...?" he asked. Noroi sighed, patting Aria's shoulder before turning off the lights and closing the door to her room, he shedding some slightly visible tears.
"Don't bother...Because of my sloppiness...Everyone knows...and now her life as First Guardian is ruined..."