Fantasy sorta-Cinderella au. Like that in the beginning, but Ace isn't useless and takes everything laying down. Phoenixes, dragons, magic. It was fun to write this one. No smut in this one. I have so many crossovers and a bunch of unedited ones that aren't crossovers, so I don't know what I'll post next when that time comes after my ASL Reset fic is over. Anyways, enjoy!


"Mommy, I want to fly," Ace said, sitting in his mother's lap, four years old and cute beyond belief. Rouge looked surprised and asked her young child what he meant. Why would he say that? "Cause I want to. I want to fly like the birds."

She smiled and said that flying did indeed sound fun, but humans couldn't fly. It would be impossible. Ace looked deeply confused. He knew he could fly, he knew it. He knew he could grow wings, he was absolutely sure of it. He knew he'd be fine.

"But, I know I can fly!" Ace insisted, teary eyes as he was being denied something he wanted desperately. He itched to be in the sky. Rouge booped his nose with a finger and said that humans can't fly, but that he could dream about it. Ace started crying.

"Baby, there's no need to cry," Rouge said kindly, hugging him. Ace exclaimed that she was mean, startling the mother. How was she being mean? She asked why he thought she was mean, and he exclaimed that he was a bird and mommy wouldn't let him fly. Rouge started to grow suspicious that something was wrong.

She asked why he thought he was a bird when he was in a human body. "C-Cause I am! I want to fly, mommy!" Ace cried hysterically. Rouge sighed quietly and smiled, saying they could go outside and attempt for him to fly, knowing it would be impossible and he'd be even more upset when he failed.

He stopped crying and hurried to the shoes and put them on and ran outside. Rouge put on her own shoes and followed him out to the front lawn. They lived in a very nice manor, which was in their family for generations. Rouge sat on the bench and watched Ace get a running start, enjoying seeing her son run around and imagine flying.

But then his arms turned into fiery wings and he took off and into the sky, squealing. Rouge's face turned white and into an expression of horror. Ace was a phoenix born. The only one in the kingdom besides the prince Marco.

They couldn't let it be known, no matter what. She would protect him and the truth no matter what. He was her precious baby, he wouldn't be hurt or targeted for what he was. She and Roger would keep him safe and well. Perhaps unhappy, but anything for his safety.

-x-

The sky was gray that day, rain approaching soon. He was glad he wouldn't have to go out that day to work on things. Step-bitch didn't like him bringing mud back inside. He didn't care if he got mud on the carpet anymore. He didn't treasure this house like his parents did. He treasured the memories of the better days, but he could have those memories without living in this house.

But he had nowhere else to go. Nobody would accept him once knowing what he really was, if it ever got out. Not everybody was the king, who loved his phoenix son regardless. Sure, his mom and dad loved him, but they kept him a secret.

He knew why, but they suppressed his other self tightly. He was never allowed to learn how to really fly. Never allowed to learn to use his talons. Never allowed to be himself. He loved them, but was also bitter. He missed them dearly, but still. He couldn't help the anger, the pain he felt of his parents not letting him be himself, even if they were not near any other people and their property was more than big enough for him to fly around at.

He raised his hand, trying to let his fire out. To see the beautiful flames that had stopped appearing years ago. He was just a normal human. They didn't even work to heal him from injuries. He was useless. After years of being told nobody could know, his phoenix hid away. Hopefully not permanently, but he couldn't coax his flames out.

It sucked, and he wished things were different. That he wouldn't be injured by stupid Stelly and Mikata. He wanted to hurt them every day. Wanted to break them apart. He knew it was messed up to think like that, and that his mom would be horrified by the thoughts, but he couldn't help it. They made him hate his life there.

They took his bedroom away, ripped apart photos of his family that he hadn't hidden away under the floorboards. Life was terrible. His hopes would never come true. He'd never meet Marco, he was lowly and dirty. He'd never meet another phoenix. But he probably wouldn't believe Ace even if he told him. After all, Ace couldn't bring his flames out when he wanted to, desperately. He wanted to be himself, and that part of him was gone. God, he hoped it was temporary.

When his stomach growled, he got dressed and went downstairs, down the spiral staircase that led to his attic room. Fuck Stelly for taking his room. He hated him with a passion, that ugly, stuck up piece of shit. But he never said any of that. It just wasn't worth the trouble. At least he felt good whenever he spit in his food. But it would be much more satisfying to punch his lights out.

He entered the kitchen and made his own breakfast. He wasn't cooking for them today. They could make their own food. He didn't care if he was punished for it. He was coming dangerously close to mutiny. Dangerously close to ruining everything they had. Tearing everything to shreds like they had his belongings and happiness.

Setting fire to everything special to them, and then running away. But he was waiting until his phoenix came back so he could flee long distances that way. He wasn't stupid, he knew he could be followed if he messed things up. Well, whatever. He'd ruin them someday and looked forward to it.

He was going to the living area to eat when Stelly was there, and went to knock his plate down. Ace was not in a good mood. He blocked the arm and twisted it around painfully. Stelly shouted about it and Ace let him go, little wimp. He tried to trip Ace, who slammed his booted foot down on his toes.

"Mother! Ace is hurting me!" Stelly shouted. Step"mother" didn't come out at first until Stelly continued to scream, even though he was a teenager. Ace was 17, and Stelly was 16. He was so wimpy for his age, crying to manipulate Alvida, the bitch of a step mother. What did his father ever see in her?

It made him sick, that he went from someone as loving as Rouge to this bitch. Ace went to the couch and scarfed down his food before taking it back to the kitchen. He touched the corner and was hit in the face with a club, one of the weapons Alvida planted around the house. Ace stumbled and moaned at the bloody cut on his face. He glared at her before he walked up to her and lost his cool, yanking the club out of her hands and throwing it upwards and embedding it into the ceiling. She was shocked.

He was really not having a good day, worse than usual, and was taking it out on them. Then he remembered why he was so angry. It was Rouge's birthday. How could he have forgotten? "I'm not in the mood for your bullshit!" he roared in her face. She was utterly baffled.

He knew he was in trouble, and it would come back to bite him in the ass, but he didn't care for now. He left, putting cloak on in the rain and going to the stables to get Chopper, his white horse, and rode away. It was pouring, but felt nice. Better than being inside that stuffy house he'd grown to hate. All because of those that occupied it now.

He made it through the forest and out into the field before his narcolepsy struck, against him completely as he fell off of Chopper and hit the muddy ground hard, completely passed out and snoring. Chopper was anxious and stood near him, trying to wake him. He was a very loyal horse, and had been his since he was young.

He didn't know anyone was around and woke up in his stupid house, not remembering how he got there in the first place. He had been in the field, so who had taken him back in the first place? And Chopper was back in the stables as well. What had happened?

-x-

Marco was probably being stupid, going out on his own on Stefan, going against the guard's wishes. He didn't care, he needed a break from the castle, from everyone. Pops had told him he had to get married soon, and he was angry. He was perfectly happy being single, but there was another reason he didn't want a wife.

Only Thatch and Izo knew the reason, as Marco didn't know how everybody would react to his preferences. He knew he wouldn't get to be with who he wanted, and that hurt beyond belief. It wasn't right to pretend to love someone when he didn't, which was what he'd have to do when he was married to a woman.

He would feel guilty and depressed all the time. He didn't want a kid with someone he didn't love. He wanted to adopt, but it just wasn't how things worked, and he knew that. Everyone did. Thatch and Izo pitied him deeply, and he wasn't upset about that. He pitied himself as well. He rode deep into the forest and to an open field when he saw a single white horse like Stefan pacing in what was clearly anxiety.

Then Marco saw what it was in front of. It was a body! He dropped off of his horse and ran over to the man collapsed in the mud completely. He turned him over and saw he was asleep, covered from head to toe in mud and grass. Marco had no idea how he'd fallen asleep here. He must have been extremely exhausted.

He couldn't just leave him in the mud and pouring rain. So he picked him up, not caring about the mud that now stained his own expensive clothing. He didn't care, this man, seeming in his late teens, might be hurt, so he draped him over his horse, gently pulling the harness to his own horse. It was nervous, but followed Marco.

The prince didn't know where to take him, so he just followed the horse prints in the mud. He must have passed out pretty recently if the horse tracks were still visible. He followed them into the forest, which was much dryer thanks to the thick canopy of leaves above them. The horses walked slowly until they arrived at a nice looking home.

Many stories and quite large. It looked nice and cozy. He hoped there were people home to confirm if this man lived there. He brought them to the front porch, and took the teen off of the horse and walked to the front door. Both of them were covered in mud still. Especially the teen, who was still snoring.

He knocked on the door, which opened to show a black haired woman, who looked shocked. Marco was clearly the prince, easily recognizable even covered in mud and grass. "Excuse me miss, but does this man live here?" he asked. He frowned when the woman was clearly debating whether to accept him or not.

She finally settled on the truth and affirmed that he lived there. The mud on his clothes had dripped off and wasn't so thick thanks to the pouring rain, so he wouldn't track it in too badly. He asked if he could bring him to the couch so she didn't need to dirty her clothes. "Ah, that's not necessarily your highness," she stuttered, nervous in front of the prince.

Marco asked where he could put him. "The floor here is just fine." He didn't really like this, putting him on the cold tile, but he did as she said. He took off his boots, though, and put them outside and on the front steps. He was about to turn around when he saw something shocking. Just barely, a small burst of red flame was on his shoulder before it disappeared.

He stared at the teen for a good minute, making the woman uncomfortable, before he shook his head and turned around, knowing it was impossible. There couldn't be two phoenixes so close together. It just wasn't possible. He had gotten his hopes up, and it hurt for them to come crashing down, even if it had only been for a few seconds.

The white horse had made its way back to the stables, and Marco went back to Stefan, getting back on and riding home, wondering how he'd fallen asleep in such a place. He laughed at it, surprised he was able to laugh at all right now. It was too bad he slept the whole time, he was very curious.

Perhaps it was a medical condition, who knows? He went back to the castle in a better mood, glad to have helped someone himself. Not with his guards or an order. Just showing an act of kindness, even if it got his outfit muddy. Oh well. He was sure Thatch would think it was funny.

-x-

Ace woke up on the floor, soaking wet. He sat up, and got a kick to the side immediately. He rubbed his eyes, standing up and ignoring Alvida. He stood up, finding he was barfoot and muddy. He could have sworn he was on Chopper, but now he was back home? He looked to the side at a livid Alvida.

"Do you realize what you've done?!" she roared, especially angry. Ace frowned and asked what had pissed her off so badly? "You fell asleep and prince Marco brought you back, covered in mud! You've humiliated all of us!"

Ace's eyes widened. He'd been with prince Marco and wasn't even awake when it happened? He put his face in his hands in disappointment. Alvida assumed he was doing that for a different reason. He looked down and saw the dirty water that had leaked onto the tile floor. He was ordered to clean the house as punishment.

He did so, grudgingly, his defiant attitude gone. He felt stupid. He couldn't help his narcolepsy. Sleep attacks happened when they wanted to and there was nothing he could do about it. They were embarrassing, and his step family always made fun of him for it. It was a topic that was a sore spot for him, as he agreed that he was stupid for having them.

The house was clean already, but he dusted and swept mostly. Once he was done, already changed with the muddy clothes to be washed later, he went to his room to mope. He saw the photo of Marco on the floor and looked at it, angry at himself.

Embarrassed beyond belief, too. There was no way he could ever meet him again, now, without feeling absolutely humiliated. He sat on his bed and curled up into a ball, feeling worthless and stupid. He was useless and a waste of space, inconvenient for others. Even the prince, who he'd always wanted to meet and blew his only chance.

The next day, he went to the market to shop for food. He saw some of his old friends there, his friends from when he was younger and wasn't banned from talking to naybody, that is. He never hung out with them and did as he was told due to not wanting to get harped on. He didn't deserve friends, anyways. Sometimes, it was worth it to cooperate so he didn't need to be annoyed by his step family. He hated Stelly the most, though. The other two were terrible, but Stelly was a whole nother level of annoying.

He bought some food from the vendors, all in huge baskets and bags that he clipped to Chopper's saddle. He got soaps, too. For himself mostly. The others had a ton for themselves. Once he was done shopping, he left.

Well, he spoke honestly to Deuce, who he'd known since they were kids. Back when he was allowed to have friends come over and hang out. He was the only one he had the bravery to talk to, still. Even if they'd grown apart due to others. "So, I fell asleep in the mud and prince Marco brought me home," Ace said with an awkward laugh. Deuce erupted into laughter, and apologized for him.

"Maybe it entertained him and he'd come back to see you. It's not exactly how you meet other people, right?" he asked. Ace laughed and said that probably wasn't how things worked. He got Marco covered in mud as well, ruining his expensive clothing. "Well, he took you back home regardless, right? It was his choice."

Ace nodded, saying that was true, and then left. He headed back home, completely distracted, damn it Deuce, why'd you have to say that? What if that was true, though? Marco knew where he lived, after all.

But, there was just no way. Ace had embarrassed himself completely, and was angry at himself. He had angry tears on his way. Tears of frustration and humiliation. Marco would never want to see him, even though they were both phoenixes. That probably didn't matter. Marco was a prince and Ace was lowly and dirty.

Plus, he was crass and swore all the time. That would probably make the prince uncomfortable around him. Ace hoped to speak to him again some day. Maybe in disguise. Wearing a mask. Well, he had no chance of that. It was hopeless.

-x-

"You found some guy sleeping in the mud? And that's what happened to your clothes?" Thatch asked, laughing at the state of Marco. Mud on his face and caked into his clothes. Marco chuckled and said that was right. "What the hell?! Why was he sleeping in the mud?" he laughed loudly at the dinner table.

Marco said he had no idea, but that the guy was an incredibly heavy sleeper. "It was something I've never had happen to me before, I can tell you that much," Marco said in amusement. "But his mother, or whoever it was, made me lay him on the floor. She seemed hesitant to say he lived there." He said that part with a light frown. Thatch pointed out that he'd been muddy and soaking wet. "Still, she could have put him on a towel."

"Yeah, that's true. Would you want to see him again?" Thatch wondered. Marco shrugged, taking a bite of his food. Pops was at a meeting and Izo was cleaning his outfit, angry at the mud even if he knew Marco didn't do it on purpose, it was a consequence of helping one of his citizens.

Marco said he probably shouldn't, having seen a flame on him that he was now sure was his imagination. He didn't say anything about that. Whoever he was no doubt wanted to keep it a secret.

"You shouldn't give up without just trying to see what he's like," Thatch replied simply. Marco asked him to not get his hopes up. Besides, he couldn't ever be with someone like him. Because he was a him. He moped, picking at his food before he got a stern look from Thatch, and finished his meal.

Thatch was quiet for a bit before asking, "Will you ever tell Pops about it?" Marco frowned deeply and looked at his empty plate sadly. He couldn't tell his father, the king. He'd be disappointed in him, surely. He'd not like it, scolding Marco and telling him he had no choice. There was no way for two kings to rule a kingdom.

It hurt him, to hide something this big. But he couldn't bear to see his father's face about it. The disappointment, that Marco wasn't how he wanted him to be. It would hurt, and he couldn't go through that. "I can't. You know that," Marco finally responded.

Thatch frowned. "I'm sure he'd be understanding, even if he said you still have to marry a princess," he said softly. Marco asked to not talk about it anymore. Thatch had the decency to respect his wish, and they left for the servants to take the dishes. Marco went to his room and flopped down onto his bed.

He looked at the painted ceiling, wondering what the kingdom would think if they knew. Probably wouldn't want him as their king. Sometimes Marco wished he had more brothers, older than him. He knew Thatch might not make a good king anytime soon, and Izo didn't want to. Marco didn't have a problem with it other than not being with somebody he loved.

Maybe he'd find a woman who changes his mind. But he didn't think this would happen. He'd never had a crush or any sort of attraction to a woman. He had for a man, but that was years ago. When he first knew he was different than what everyone expected of him.

He'd almost told Pops about that, being 17 and gullible at the time. But he hadn't, which he knew was the right choice now. It hurt to hide it, it really did, but he had no choice.

But he couldn't stop thinking about wanting to know what had happened to that guy. Why he'd passed out like that. It was silly to be so curious, he knew that. But he was curious, though he knew that it would be inappropriate to just arrive at his home again and ask what had happened to him.

It was silly, and he tried not to think about it. Silly and a waste of time to think about something like that. But he smiled about it, thinking of him snoring in the mud, and draped over the horse like a sack of flour. Entertaining as it was. He couldn't deny that, and it was worth it to get his clothes dirty. Though Izo didn't think that way at all.

When breakfast came the next day, they sat with Pops at the head of the table, his three sons sitting near him, but not too close. Not far from him at the giant table that sat thirty. It really was never full, and only filled up when other kingdom leaders came to visit or negotiate, which usually went smoothly.

"We're having some princesses come soon. You'll choose out of them, Marco. Many of them are quite respectable and kind. I'm sure you'll find someone," Pops said happily. Marco said nothing and just nodded. "I know you like being single, but you're turning twenty soon, and should have gotten married two years ago."

"I know," Marco said quietly. Thatch and Izo were frowning in sympathy for their brother, who was miserable. The table was quiet until Thatch suggested they throw a party for the kingdom. They could have everyone celebrate together. Marco looked at him, wondering what he was doing.

He added that it would be everyone, not just the ladies. Marco frowned, knowing what Thatch was doing, and he appreciated the gesture, but it would only hurt him more. But Pops said it was a great idea, as the prince getting engaged would be a wonderful celebration. Everyone would be welcome.

"We'll have it weeks from now, since clothes will need to be made for everyone. It will be a ball, everyone needs to dress accordingly," the king said. Marco asked about poor citizens. Pops said they'd have to make do. As long as they aren't rags, they should be fine. "Suits should be easy to find, they don't need anything overly extravagant."

Marco wondered if the sleepy guy would be able to come. He hoped so, he wanted to ask him a question. The obvious one, but also his name. Thinking of him as "the sleepy guy" wasn't the best, and he'd rather have his real name instead. He hoped he'd come, but Marco also hoped he'd find a princess he could love.

The best case scenario would be him leaving the ball looking forward to being engaged to a woman. He could hope, but didn't think it would happen. He wouldn't close his mind about it, though. Or at least, try not to.

The next day, it was announced that there would be a ball that welcomed everybody. He hoped it reached the sleepy guy's ears, and that he could come. After all, it was required that they dress properly. He wished it was appropriate to give him a suit to wear. Maybe he could do it secretly. He sort of knew the measurements of his clothing.

He'd do something unprincely, and asked Izo to make a proper suit and give the measurements. He smiled knowingly, and Marco had blushed and turned away. But by the second day after the announcement, the suit was done. A nice and simple black one with white embroidery.

Marco put it in a box and was going to mail it to the address, but worried it wouldn't get there in time. He was going to do something reckless, and went upstairs and waited until he knew everyone was inside, and grabbed the box with his talons and flew to the house, finding the horse and dropping the box right in front of the stables before zooming away, not wanting to be seen.