The moment Scott touched the antlers, he knew he'd made a mistake.

They gleamed even in the dull light, beautiful and mesmerizing, a stark contrast to the dull cave they sat in. Scott couldn't help but be awed at the clear power radiating off of them. They had clearly been there for centuries, sacred and untouched, and here he came barging in and grasping the points as if he had every right to be there.

He didn't think anyone would know, but it was never a good plan to tempt the gods. Then again, Scott wasn't known for his great planning skills.

He pulled away as his hand began to heat up uncomfortably, shaking it and holding it close to him- as one does when they've been burned.

There was an unshakeable sense of right when he looked at the antlers, and Scott was terrified. Aeor above, no, he didn't want this! He'd heard the tales, he knew what this was, but still he was stupid enough to explore, to adventure, to come closer when he should have fled.

He hopped backwards fearfully, like a spooked animal, staring for one last second at the majestic antlers on the pedestal in front of him before turning and fleeing.

Scott could hear his heartbeat pounding in his chest as he flew hurriedly away, forgetting formality and responsibility in favor of an adrenaline-filled race to get away, to get to safety.

He would never be safe again.

No, no, no, no thank you, no! No, he didn't want this. He didn't want it. He couldn't! Sure was the heir to the throne, the elven ruler, but why couldn't he just have an uneventful reign, why couldn't he be a king who lived a happy, normal life before being forgotten save for his name in history tomes somewhere?

But of course he couldn't. He had to be the one of legend, the one no one would ever forget, the one chained by destiny, who could never be free.

There was a pang in the side of his head and he nearly screamed. No. No. No. This could not be happening.

Another spike of pain. His thoughts blurred, covered by a dense fog. Everything was hazy from then on. Sounds, muffled like they were coming through a thick wall of cotton. Thoughts, struggling to form, banished behind a cloud of agony. Sight, hazy and misted, confusing and harsh.

His wings drifted inwards, tilting downwards as they did, and Scott felt himself spinning in the air, somersaulting over himself. He felt cold wind rush past him, but it didn't even faze him. His eyes slipped shut, the effort of keeping them open not worth the pitiful mockery of vision he now had.

He never even heard Gem's call.

He awoke to a dull throb on his temples. Slowly sitting up, he discovered he was alone. He brought his hands to his head and froze.

Growing out of the sides of his head were two small prongs.

He'd known what would happen when he touched the antlers, he'd known from the moment he did so.

Still, some part of him had hoped it wouldn't happen. Hoped that he'd be able to hide this. Hoped that he'd be able to keep up the pretense of just being Scott for a little while longer, hoped that he'd be able to have friends for just a bit.

But good things never lasted. Especially not for him.

His head suddenly exploded with pain and a soft voice whispered to him. My champion.

No! Why him? Why now? Why? Why? He didn't know how he didn't pass out from the agony. All he knew was that once it was over, he could feel them on his head. They had just grown.

Hush now, little champion, don't be scared.

Scott leaped off the bed and stumbled outside, desperately trying to escape. He was met with a dropoff, off of which he tripped. Luckily, he had wings. He convulsed again as the voice spoke again, sending a new, although slightly dulled, pain through his skull. Shhhh, listen.

"NO!" Scott almost didn't realize he was screaming until Gem soared into view. He backed away, flapping his wings frantically to redirect himself. He wasn't normally so clumsy, but he was desperate and their was a new weight on his head. He was going to give in, and he couldn't, he couldn't let himself, he didn't want this.

Gem stared, circling him warily. She'd seen them. "Scott..?"

"I'm sorry, Gem," Scott whispered, then louder. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Gem."

Before she could reply, Scott was gone, diving away, heading off away from his former friend. The pain driving him nearly mad, but he knew he was perfectly sane in assuming Gem wouldn't want anything to do with him now.

And why would the wizard want nothing to do with a Champion?

Tears escaped Scott's eyes at the knowledge that had his fate been different, she would have loved him. She would have adored him.

But he'd always known, hadn't he?

He'd spent his life running from it, knowing that one day he'd give in. Knowing that one day, he would lose his choice. Knowing that he would lose his friends.

He almost didn't notice fWhip until the man was calling out to him, mechanical wings squeaking joyously in their flight as fWhip circled the Champion.

"Scott?" fWhip inquired, not concerned but confused. No, no longer concerned. No longer caring about him, as he'd known they eventually wouldn't. He'd always known that one day they'd stop seeing him as Scott.

He didn't bother trying not to cry, it wouldn't matter. They wouldn't care anyways.

"I'm sorry," he repeated, dashing away from fWhip.

"Wait!" fWhip chased after him. "Wh- who did this?"

"Myself," Scott sighed, tasting the salt of his tears as he spoke. "My destiny."

"Scott-" fWhip reached out towards him, a strange caring in his eyes. He still cared, even after seeing what Scott was, what he'd become.

"I'm- I'm sorry-" Scott choked out, all he could say anymore. His last desperate act before fate took him. "I'm sorry, that's not my name. Not anymore."

"No!" fWhip screamed, raw pain and fear and confusion in his voice. "NO!"

"It's too late," he replied, slightly sadly. "It's always been too late."

"Scott," Fwhip murmured, his face twisted in shock and sadness and disbelief. "Scott... no... WHY HIM!?"

"It's always been me," he told the Grimlands ruler.

fWhip had no reply, his eyes brimming with tears. "No!"

He had no reply but to land, tilting his head to show off his glorious new appendages...

The massive, curved black and purple crown of a demon.

So, did any of you expect that ending? ;)