infectedscrew said for this post: Like the Swan Princess movies from the 90’s???
This gave me a nice idea although i don’t remember the movies so this could be not what you were expecting and i could have gotten sidetracked by a off topic tangent “^.^
Shiro was a prince of the Rhyud kingdom, an allied neighbor of the vast and powerful Kingdom of Altea. His was a small kingdom but it held its fair share of land.
His fair leadership and compassion for his people made him beloved by all throughout his kingdom. He had to step onto the throne as a makeshift king when is parents suddenly passed away. Shiro took it upon himself to make sure his kingdom did not fall into chaos without their king or queen and he did a splendid job.
It has been a few years and now that things have settled and any kinks were straightened out, his advisors told him it might be time to officially appoint Shiro as king with a grandeur coronation.
Shiro hid at the corner of his window lightly pulling the curtains back just enough that he could see past it but so that no one would notice. He was garbed in his royal purple and silver ceremonial outfit, the cloth long and flowing. There was a warm smile gracing his lips as he watched the town from his castle all alight with excitement, putting their hearts into decorations and all they can do for this joyous occasion.
His eyes roamed around the town decorated with lion motifs and then beyond it, the trees beyond the gates in full bloom to announce the coming of spring. He blushed a bit, a tad bashful that everyone was putting out their best for his coronation, even the trees might be showing off their vibrant colored blooms just for this occasion. He had always been more humble about receiving praise and gifts.
That airy, heartwarming feeling was soon replaced with ice, cold dread. On the tip of the horizon he could see a massive line of purple. An army, and not just any army... the Galra. They have been at odds with Altea but have never stepped foot towards his kingdom.
Shiro’s hold on the curtain tightened, his body tense and shaking. No... no! The Galra were known for their ruthlessness and the devastation they leave when they conquer new land. His kingdom with its army well-skilled but small in number did not stand a chance. His people will be taken as prisoners or slaughtered out-right. He cannot let that happen and he steels his resolve.
“Keith!” He calls for his personal bodyguard and Captain of the Royal Guard.
He comes running at the command already dressed in gleaming silver armor accented with red rubies that according to the blacksmith would give him resistance to fire and heat. His friend’s face is tight in a scowl, no doubt he was informed of this grim news by a scout.
“The Galra.” Shiro stated the obvious fact trying to let this loaded situation settled in his bones.
“Shiro, give us the order and we’ll fight! We can win! We will win!” Keith was always one to go headfirst into battle. But he understood where he was coming from; wanting to defend his home with everything he’s got.
But this was the Galra, they had much more resources and firepower. Rumors had it that they had nigh unstoppable witch on their side empowering them with untold amount of magic. Even with out that magic, their autonomous soldiers were endless. Their sheer numbers will only exhaust his army. No, this was dire and it looked like there was no way out. Not for him the prince of this kingdom... but maybe his people had a chance.
“Keith, I want you to gather some of your men and start evacuating the kingdom--”
“What--!?”
“I will meet with the Galra army and hopefully negotiate.” Shiro continued ignoring Keith’s protests. Shiro walked to a dresser and pulled out his personal armor, its black and silver metal shining as the prince prepared himself.
“Shiro, this is crazy! They’ll kill you or worse, they’ll take you prisoner and torture you or use you in some sick experiments!” Keith yelled trying to get through to him.
“I know!” That quieted Keith down, “I know... I likely will not escape this unscathed but even if they take me prisoner they still might attack the kingdom. Keith, I know you and the other guards will put their lives on the line to defend our home but you will be. These are the Ryude kingdom, our home, it’ll live through us through them. Use your resources to protect them while I try to give you as much time as I can. Get them away from here as quietly as you can.”
“But Shiro...”
“That is an order Keith,” The two walked stiffly to the stables where his horse was kept. He mounted his steed looking back to his friend with solemn eyes, “and send someone to warn Allura Princess of Altea. ...I pray we will see each other again, among familiar faces of my people.”
Keith sighed heavily, completely against Shiro sacrificing himself for everyone’s sake but he was no fool. It would take a miracle to defeat that army, a miracle they do cannot risk innocent lives to bet on. So he carefully saluted to the prince eyes hardened with resolve to carry out the prince’s orders. And with that Shiro signaled his horse to move through crowds of people and the gates to his kingdom towards the looming danger.
Shiro was taken prisoner and tortured with magical electricity to inflict pain, they even took his arm and he gained a scar on the bridge of nose from his experience. The druids who served the witch hopelessly questioned him for the whereabouts of the Roots of Quintessence. Perhaps his parents were privy to that knowledge but not him, he did not get a chance to learn of it. But even if he did know he would not tell them. So much exposure to unfamiliar magic turned his bangs white.
One day he was being led to a large room filled with various animals and people in cages, cauldrons of bubbling, bright yellow goop were everywhere. There was a giant cauldron possibly holding the same liquid was boiling away quite loudly, perhaps too loudly. It seemed it might boil over at that rate.
Suddenly a pink liquid splashed out of the cauldron and landed on one of the automatons escorting him which turned it into a pile of rocks and gemstones.
Shiro gasped and turned with everyone else in the room towards the giant cauldron. It was shaking violently with the intensity of it boiling all by itself. A few druids hurried over to it to try and contain it but it soon exploded sending a glittering smog to every corner of the room.
Shiro couldn’t clearly remember what happened but amidst the chaos and smog, his body felt completely different. Then it dawned on him that now was the perfect time to escape and he doesn’t know when another will come so he has to take it now. It felt awkward to run but he only kept pushing himself forward and passed by guards distracted by the situation.
Shiro escaped leaving a few black feathers at the scene.
