Preptober Prompts Day 3 – 2020

Today’s prompt is a flash fiction prompt from R.A. Oke.

What would push your protagonist to become an antagonist? Write that scenario.

This would be too easy to answer for Leafman, so I’m going to go with Elk for this one.

“With King Julen back again, we’ve decided we’re sending Leafman and Saria back to Earth.”

Elk blinked at his father in disbelief. They’d just come back, and already Lorcan was shipping them off again? Maybe Leafman was right and they simply didn’t want them around. Elk’s chair screeched across the floor as he leapt to his feet.

“No. They’re staying put. You already sent them away once.”

Lorcan’s expression hardened. “The decision has been made. They will be safer on Earth.”

“And what about Sarabrina? Twilight? Me? I’m starting to think you just don’t want to deal with children.”

Lorcan rose so fast Elk struggled not to step backward. “You know nothing.”

“You’re right. I do. Because I haven’t seen you in ten years!”

Valda stood, hands folded in front of her, and frowned at both Elk and Lorcan. “Gentlemen. You’re behaving like children.”

Elk and Lorcan stood glaring at each other, locked in a battle of wills, before Elk shook his head. Lorcan wasn’t worth the effort. Elk turned on his heel and walked out, boots clicking on the stone floor. These awful boots. He couldn’t believe he’d ever thought they were cool. Had ever thought maybe he belonged here. Behind that kind, caring facade, Lorcan was just as self-absorbed as King Julen was said to be.

Elk climbed the stairs to his room and slammed the door shut behind him. The boots were the first thing to come off, then he traded his Hylian garb for the cuffed jeans, t-shirt, and plaid button-down he’d arrived in. As he tied on his green Converse, he took a deep breath. This was who he was. Not that stuffy prince he’d been playing make-believe as.

Although…

What if he could have the best of both worlds? Keep the place he’d grown up, but also defend his siblings without Lorcan’s ignorant interference?

What if he wasn’t a prince?

What if he was a king?

A smile spread across Elk’s lips. Yes. He could send Lorcan to Earth instead of his siblings. Make him understand what they’d gone through. He certainly wouldn’t miss another lost decade with his children; he’d already chosen that once.

Elk skipped down to Leafman’s door and knocked.

So, the golden boy can go dark. How about your MC? What would push them over the edge?