This story begins as so many others do. Once upon a time, in a beautiful kingdom.

This particular land was small, somewhat inconsequential in the grand scheme of the world. It possessed no great army to showcase the strength of its rulers, nor was it a center of great culture and art. Merchants traveled through, each on their way to some new, great land, and would share their wealth with it, but few stopped for any great length of time. And yet the tiny kingdom prospered, and none within it harbored thoughts of misery, or war. Peasants and lords shared the cobbled streets almost gladly.

The King of this country was a man named Cloud Leonhart Strife, a talented swordsman with a heavy conscience and a sympathetic heart. While in another time some might have considered him weak, he weighed his choices heavily, and always did his best to support the interests of the kingdom. At the moment, however, there was little call for difficult choices and solemn judgement, and his kind thoughtfulness only contributed to the land's prosperity.

His queen was a fair-haired woman from a foreign land. Hailing from the east, Lady Stella Nox Fleuret was both beautiful and strong. She believed firmly in tradition, and of a greater purpose all men of the earth acted towards. Though they had never met before their engagement, and lived in completely separate worlds, they devoted themselves whole-heartedly to each other. After enough time with such conviction, one might say they developed feelings very akin to, possibly even equal to love. The queen strove to thoroughly support her husband in his endeavors; she was well-spoken and polite, but ever firm in resolve.

Together, they attended to affairs of the kingdom, and as a result of their work, everyone was happy...

Or, at least, most were.

The queen, who had been an only child, had been lavished with praise and love from her parents, and she wished that she herself could have a child to love and dot upon. It was her royal responsibility to bear her husband an heir to the throne, and she was more than happy to fulfill it. King Cloud had been born with one brother, Squall, who had caught sick and died at a tragically young age. He too longed for a child; more than an heir to his line and legacy. A young one to play with, nurture, and teach.

For a year, they tried, again and again, but their efforts bore no fruit. Soon the king and queen fell to quarreling, often over trivial things, each eager for anything to hide the stress this failure was bringing upon their marriage.

The kingdom saw no part of this; to their loyal subjects, the king and queen continued life as usual, happy and well. But in truth, as each new attempt was met with nothing, the two began to fear that they were infertile, and their sadness only grew.

Every night, whether together or not, they would each pray to the Gods, begging for a chance to see a child brought into the world. One who could save them from themselves, how far they had fallen, even in such a time of peace. For a long time afterward, it seemed their prayers went unanswered. No child grew in Stella's belly.

Another year had almost gone before Queen Stella had conceived, at long last. Word of the birth spread. A miracle, the people cried! And the little kingdom rejoiced.

Festivals and grand celebrations were held. Visitors came from all over and rejoiced with them, and life was almost like a dream; one that, if any good soul had his way, would never end...

The largest, most inclusive celebration of all occurred the day that the Gods blessed the little kingdom with a little prince. His little tufts of golden hair were as light and radiant as sunshine, and his eyes were bluer than the deepest ocean, rivaling even his father's. The royal couple instantly fell in love with the boy, the newest addition to their little family, and so too did anyone who met the infant prince.

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"His royal highness, King Reno Oheina Turk, and his son, Prince Axel J'Hachi Turk!"

Cloud looked up eagerly, immediately recognizing that ridiculous red hair even from where he sat, far across the room.

With a wide grin, he excused himself to his wife and rose from his throne, stepping down the two or three steps in easy stride.

"Reno, my old friend."

The foreign king returned his smile, clasping the other man in a brief hug. "It's been a long time, hasn't it?"

"Too long. You must come and sit with me." The blonde swept a hand towards his queen as she smiled and waved, seated beside to the royal cradle. "I'll have two of my finest chairs brought out."

"Don't be silly, man. This is your day to shine, not mine. I'll happily take a seat by you at the feast, if you would oblige me."

Cloud chuckled. "Of course." He then turned his attention to the young boy beside the other king.

Even at his height, barely up to Reno's waist, he was as thin as his father; his muscles wiry and lean. He also sported his father's wild red hair, though it was wilder now, spiked whereas Reno's was slicked and straight. His eyes were a deep green, unlike Reno's, and from them he could see the boy hardly interested in the party at all.

"I assume this is the young Axel you've told me so much about. How old is he now?"

"He's just about four," the older redhead said proudly, patting his son on the head with a rough, heavy hand. The boy flinched a little, glaring up at him as he tousled the hair. "Quite the handful, really. Nowhere near as mature as his brothers."

"But that's to be expected," Cloud offered. "He'll grow out of it soon. His brothers have all grown, and he's still a little boy."

"True," Reno grunted back. "But I distinctly remember his older brothers didn't fuss as much at his age. His brother Lea was chasing girls all over the place back then." They both shared a laugh, even as Axel huffed indignantly. "This little brat is a scamp, but not in the same way. He keeps telling me he thinks girls are 'icky.'"

"He'll grow out of that too, I'm sure."

"I'm not so sure on that one, Cloud. He's one stubborn little bastard, this one. I predict now it'll be the lads he fancies."

"Dad..." the boy groaned. The higher pitch of his little voice made it almost laughable, but Cloud could see that this little prince was pretty smart, and indeed stubborn for his age. He looked down at him curiously for a moment.

Sure enough, he could see that same stubbornness that Reno managed so easily. It was a proud family trait, kept alive through many long lives of men, as trademark as their blood-red hair.

Reno shrugged lazily. It was then that Cloud realized his friend had been talking, and he'd caught only the end of it.

"...No, I've had my fill of rambunctious boys. If my wife pops out any more of em, I'll start having to ditch them by the roadsides."

"DAD!"

"RENO!"

The man looked between his friend and his son. "What? It's true."

"You could have phrased that a bit more tactfully, you know." the blonde king protested, rubbing a vein that began to protrude slightly from his upper forehead.

He knew from first-hand experience visiting the Turk's kingdom that speaking openly and honestly was highly valued, and so its people were accustomed to being frank. But Reno was a particularly tough case. He was downright rude at times, and never had any qualms about it.

The man may have been well-bred as a king in his own country, but he lacked too many necessary qualities to be a foreign diplomat.

"You know, maybe this kid would be good for your son." Cloud shot him a strange look, while not far below them Axel looked like he'd just been struck across the face. "I'm just thinking about possibilities for the future. I have too many of em, I told you."

"By "good," I'm assuming you mean as a match?"

Reno had something like six children at the moment, all of them sons, and Axel was the youngest. There were too many legitimate contestants to the throne, so it was possible that some sort of violence could break out between them. The king wasn't sure, because he didn't know the boys, but he'd heard of such things happening in other kingdoms. Far too many times, as it were.

He glanced back at the cradle behind him thoughtfully. Reno's land was a good deal larger than his own, and further north, and if his son was sent here, he'd be sure to keep out of trouble in his own kingdom. The other boys would find him less of a threat, and if he stayed to rule...

But that might cause problems in his kingdom.

On the other hand, even before the marriage, it would align the two countries as strongly as trading goods, if not more so.

That was a bit of a strange thought. He had previously been so proud, thinking his own son would of course take the throne, perhaps marry a lady of the court or a foreign princess. Sora would be a good king, no question.

And yet...

The people were pretty open-minded for the most part.

But what of the lineage? Two men could rule, perhaps, but they could not give the kingdom an heir. Cloud could not stand the thought of naming a successor who was not of Strife blood. And, in the event that he could or would not choose, the land could easily fall into anarchy and quarreling.

Reno was grinning widely. Axel still looked shocked, and seemed to be trying to mouth something to his father. He probably couldn't believe the king was so calm about this. Frankly, Cloud was impressed he was still following the conversation so aptly.

"How would they have any children?"

Axel looked up at him, aghast. Reno chuckled. "You mean more possible heirs to my throne?" Cloud rolled his eyes. That would be less of a problem for Reno, especially if his first son had any children. Axel could only claim that right by waging war.

Ugh! There was so much to consider!

"Relax, I know what you mean. Well...Wouldn't fairy magics solve that?"

Cloud opened his mouth, then closed it again instantly. Most fairies throughout the lands only possessed little magicks, not something powerful enough that could make a man conceive. Others were simply rogue, but there were a few fairies who prided themselves as scholars and even priests, who prayed to the Gods and received great power through their perseverance and goodness of spirit. A few even lived in places around this small kingdom. Cloud remembered he and Stella had almost chosen to go visit them, in their desperation for a child. It was said that a few could have power enough to have a baby take, even in a barren woman. Or, if the issue rested with the man, they could remove his impotence.

Why not a man?

It was a bit of a stretch. He would need to speak with his queen and his councilors for a while before he came to any real decision.

"I would be honored to vow our children to one another, but we should discuss this more later. And very thoroughly. For now, enjoy the party. Have a drink."

Reno shrugged, gesturing for a young serving girl to fetch him one, as Cloud cast a friendly, almost sympathetic look down at his dear friend's son.

"Would you like to see the baby, Axel?"

Axel huffed, clearly pouting but not willing to make a big scene. His father must have taught him well. Either that, or he just had a heavy hand with punishment and a sadistic enjoyment of it.

The blonde king was willing to bet the latter.

"Fine."

The two men chuckled and wandered over to the thrones, the sulking boy lagging a few steps behind them. When they reached the baby, the servants stepped aside, letting the young boy get his first glance at his potential future...husband.

Sora looked up at him in childish wonderment, not afraid at all. But then, he had not yet developed his anxiety of strangers, and his newborn eyesight was only so strong. He probably couldn't even tell the boy's face apart from that of his own parents. He just blinked owlishly.

Axel looked back down, less than impressed..

"He looks funny. Like an overgrown dumpling with hair."

As if in response, the baby scrunched up his little face, then burped.

Cloud chuckled, choosing to ignore the boy's words. Axel probably wasn't thrilled about his marriage being decided so soon.

He also chose to politely ignore it when Reno smacked Axel upside the back of the head, right in the grand hall.

"Mind your manners, boy." Reno leaned over the cradle. "He's cute. Like a delicate version of Cloud. A little less feminine, though."

"Hey now..." The blonde sighed as his queen gave an airy giggle. Even Axel cracked a smile at that.

The rest of the party seemed to be flowing smoothly. There was plenty of food and drink for everyone, and seconds were happily accepted all around. Then came the part of the evening everyone was especially looking forward to. The time when all gathered would bestow their gifts upon the tiny prince. This event was only more anticipated when three new guests, invited but unexpected, were announced.

"Their most honored and benevolent excellencies, the three fairy sisters! Mistress Rikku of Bikanel, and Mistresses Yuna and Lulu of Besaid!"

All eyes turned to greet them, as the three tiny women flew into the room, obscured briefly by a ball of light as each one touched the floor. When the light faded, there stood three identical women, now the size of full-grown humans, each with a set of wings on their backs.

Yuna, at the front of the group, was a young woman with short brown hair. She bore one blue eye, and one green. Her wings were a delicate, transparent pink. Rikku's hair was long and blonde. She bore spiral patterns on both her irises, almost too faint to see unless seen up close, and her wings were a light shade of orange. Lulu, the last, had long black hair, and her eyes, wings, and outfit were noticeably darker than her sisters.

Cloud offered them a warm smile as they approached, motioning them to stand after they each bowed in turn.

"Fortune smiles upon us. You honor us with your visit, my ladies."

"It is our honor, sir, to be here on this most auspicious day," Yuna replied, smiling kindly back. "We wish all happiness to you, your queen, your kingdom, an-"

"Where is the little dear?" Rikku cried, beginning to rush forward before she was yanked back, restrained by her collar by Lulu. She instantly began to fuss.

"Aw! Lemme go, Lulu! I wanna go see him!"

"You have no sense of decorum," the woman said simply, shaking her head. Yuna laughed as her sister only began to whine more.

"But we came all this way!"

Cloud looked a little nervous at this, but he kept that smile, motioning them forward.

"Please, by all means, come and see him. We'd be honored to accept any gift you have to offer him."

"Yay!" As soon as Lulu released her, the hyper fairy bolted forward, almost knocking the queen and Reno out of the way. She cooed and giggled excitedly, extending a hand, which the baby slowly grabbed for. "What's his name?"

"...Sora," Queen Stella offered hesitantly, slowly regaining her smile, as she saw the energetic girl wouldn't harm her son.

People loved to say that the king and queen had named their child after the dawn, because he filled their lives, and all the kingdom, with sunshine. But sora actually meant "sky"; he brought to them a whole new world of open possibilities, and a precious hope that they would hold over them for many years to come.

"He's adorable!" Rikku cried, as her sisters slowly came to stand beside her. Yuna's smile brightened even more, as she gazed down at the little prince. Even Lulu, who seemed for the most part stalwart and reserved sister, smiled down at the baby as well.

Sora must have known he was the center of the attention, for he gurgled softly and squeezed Rikku's finger as hard as he could in his own pudgy little digits.

Yuna turned back to King Cloud, who now stood very close at hand beside his queen and King Reno.

"Now, I'm sorry to say we may only give him one gift each."

"That is more than enough," Stella replied, dipping into a small curtsy. "We appreciate anything your good magic can give us."

"I'll go first!" Rikku sang excitedly. Her sisters stepped back a few steps, as did the royal party, and the entire room was now watching, as the fairy dug through her clothes and pulled out her little white wand. She smiled down at the baby and leaned over the cradle once more.

"My little cutiepie...My gift is one of eternal beauty!" Waving the wand a bit, she chirped, "May you always be this cute!"

A short way away, Cloud paled. Queen Stella only smiled widely.

Little flickers of what looked to be sparkles drifted out from the tip of her wand, and spread down over the cradle. The little prince inside sneezed softly as a speck or two landed on his nose. Rikku giggled.

"That's all from me!"

Next came Lulu. She strode up to the cradle and knelt to gaze at the baby again, her wand already retrieved and at the ready.

"My prince...My gift is of reason, and a sharp mind. May you freely question, not merely follow, the words of others. May you always have a mind of your own, for better or worse." The same specks of magic fell upon the cradle, and once again another little sneeze was heard. The fairy smiled. "May this gift I bestow keep you smart and safe."

Cloud nodded to himself at that. A fine gift; perfect for the future king.

Finally, Yuna approached the cradle and readied her wand, but before she could even speak, there came a loud noise. Suddenly, every shutter in the castle seemed to fly open with a slam, the wind bellowed into the room like the breath of some foul, angry monster. It howled and raged, and suddenly the sky was alight with flashes of lightning.

The brunet fairy stepped back in horror as the little prince began to wail, and the queen hurried to him, lifting him out of the cradle and rocking him gently in her arms.

"Hush, little one. It's alright..."

The gathered assembly looked unsure, as they clutched at their hats and scarves, holding them against the wind. Finally, everything seemed to die down; the wind settled back to its normal speed, though the lightning still lit up the darkened sky outside. Then, a dark, misty swirl of green and black light took shape in the middle of the room, and collective gasps sounded as the mist began to shift and form...

A woman now stood in its place. Her skin was almost green, pale and sickly and clearly unnatural. She bore black and purple robes, each sleeve and hem torn and ragged, and upon her head was a headdress resembling dragon horns. Cloud could almost swear that they were real.

In her hand was clutched a long, dark-wood staff with an even paler green crystal ball crowning it, and upon that sat a large, black raven, which the woman stroke thoughtfully. Her face was expressionless, yet cold and calculating.

Everyone in the kingdom knew this woman, and they all feared her deeply.

"Ma-Maleficent!" Rikku stuttered, instantly zooming to hide behind Lulu, who merely looked on in disgust. "What does she want here?"

"My, my...What a glittering assembly we have here, King Cloud." The dry, almost bored tone echoed loudly in the room, though she barely spoked above drawl. "I do believe I see a few old friends of mine."

"We're no longer any friends of yours," Lulu said curtly, glaring openly. "You tricked my sisters and tried to draw them in with your promises of treasure, only to betray them! You murdered my Chappu with your unholy abomination!"

"Perhaps," Maleficent said nonchalantly, tilting her head just a bit with a sickening smile. "But all of that is behind us now, is it not?"

Lulu made no reply, and Rikku and Yuna made no attempt to intercede. The witched chuckled.

"You are still so naive, fairies." With a shake of her head, she turned to the king and queen. "Where are my manners? It is good to see you again, Cloud, Stella. Though I must say I really felt quite distressed at not receiving an invitation."

"Y-You aren't welcome here, you mean old witch!" Rikku yelled, sticking out her tongue. When Maleficent's cold gaze fell on her, she squeaked and hid further behind her sister, who only stiffened and stood taller.

"Is that so?" She looked to the squalling prince and his mother, who fought to watch Maleficent's every move and still console the infant at the same time. "Is this true, your majesties? Could you really be so cruel to a lonely old woman?"

No one spoke, whether out of fear or lack of an answer, none of the crowd could tell. They watched in fearful awe as Maleficent turned slowly on the spot and raised her hand, creating another dark, misty portal.

"You wound me. I'd best be on my way, lest I suffer further indignity."

It was in this moment that Cloud spoke up hurriedly.

"We meant no offense, lady! It simply slipped our minds, I assure you! Please stay, and...enjoy the celebration."

She turned back around, a sly smile on her lips and a strange gleam in her eyes.

"If your majesties will have me."

King Reno stood beside Cloud then, asking, "So...you got a gift for the kid, or what?" He had heard of her power, but he was not afraid.

Maleficent blinked at him briefly, then smiled again. "Of course. I would happily bestow my gift on the child, now, if there are no objections."

Rikku flew over to the queen and stood in front of her protectively. "Oh no you don't! I...I don't care if you throw lightning at me! Go ahead, throw your worst spells at me! I-I'm not letting you touch this little sweetheart!"

The witch looked unimpressed. "You think you can stop me?...Very well, try." She then raised her staff, her raven pet fluttered over to sit upon her shoulder. "Listen well, all of you," she commanded, slamming the staff down and causing a loud clash as it hit the floor.

"I will not undo what you have given." She gestured to the three hapless fairies. "The prince shall indeed grow in grace and beauty, beloved by all who know him." Again, she slammed the staff down, before raising her hand over the orb, as it began to glow a bright green. Her eyes shown now with hatred and magic, and she gave the little prince a look that would chill the bones and blood of many men. "But he shall not live long. Before the sun sets on his sixteenth birthday, he shall prick his finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel, and die!"

"No!" the queen cried, cuddling the boy closer to her and turning away from Maleficent. As if she thought that would somehow protect him.

She cackled, beginning to summon the dark mist around her once more.

Cloud let out an angry cry. "Stop her! SEIZE HER!"

"You're too late!" Before the guards could even come close, a clap of thunder and a flash of lightning struck right in the middle of the room. Rikku screamed, and Maleficent cackled even as she vanished into thin air. A moment later, and the day morphed back to how it had been before. Sunny, beautiful. A truly wonderful day...

But now it was not. Queen Stella wept over her newborn son, as Cloud embraced her. Axel and Reno merely stood in shocked awe, the latter's face slowly morphing into one of solemn grief.

The crowd exchanged worried murmurs, filling the room with rumors and terrible stories, before Yuna approached the royal couple, looking between the two hesitantly.

"Is he truly doomed? There should be some sign, a visible mark upon him..." she said softly. The king and queen looked at each other, then down at their little boy. After some looking they found it. Over his little left breast, the mark of a black little heart, turned upside down.

As soon as they saw it, it vanished into the skin. There were no further blemishes on him, unnatural or otherwise.

"Oh, how can this have happened?" Stella sobbed. She clung to her wailing son desperately, as if believing that her precious baby would be taken from her at any moment. Lulu snorted.

"That witch is crafty and cruel. She has never taken any slight lightly..."

But Yuna gave them a tiny smile. "Don't despair. Please. I still have my gift to give."

Cloud's eyes snapped wide, and he met her gaze with one of desperate hope.

"Then...then you can undo this fearful curse?"

She shook her head sadly, looking almost guilty. "No, Your Majesty. I have magic enough for many things...my sisters and I...But I cannot fight Maleficent's powers. They are too great."

The king bowed his head, hopeless once more. Then Rikku spoke up. "But she can help him! You'll see!"

Yuna nodded and stepped toward the royal couple, extending her arms. The queen unfolded from her husband's arms, and fought with herself for a moment, unwilling to let go of her son for even a moment. But knowing it would help him, she sighed, finally conceding.

The brunette fairy took the child from her gently. "My prince..." she cooed softly, full-aware that the entire room was watching her eagerly.

"If you should prick your finger on a spindle that day, or any day, I give to you this ray of hope, this gift, to protect you. Not in death, but just in sleep, you will wait. You will wait for the day that your true love comes to you. Through true love's kiss, the spell shall break, and you'll be free of that witch, her schemes, her malice, and her power, forever more..."

The little sparkling dust specks of magic swirled around him, calming the baby until he quieted. Soon enough, he was asleep.

A/N: I basically switched Lulu and Paine. Haven't played FFX-2. I know she's in KH2, but I like Lulu, so I picked her instead. I know this seems pretty standard as far as fairytales go, but I'll try not to make it too predictable later. I have a few ideas :)

Oh, and I know I hinted at it in here, but there will be no mpreg this time around. I just said that so as to have an excuse for why Cloud is even remotely willing to consider letting his son marry a dude. lol :)