Forward
Hey everyone, thank you for taking the time to read my fanfiction on Muv-Luv. I know that there aren't many fanfictions written about the franchise, at least, not here in the West from what I can tell (or maybe just ) but I really wanted to tell a story set in the universe. From what is on the site, I've noticed a major number of the stories on here are all mostly based on Alternative.
It's true that Alternative is a great piece of work, setting up major lore building, giant robots, character build up, and launching the franchise into extreme popularity, however, I wanted to read something that isn't ingrained in with the canon lore (Or set in Alternative with already well-established characters). Whether by using the original Muv-Luv cast, or the supplemental characters from the other works, I had this strange itch to create something that could be a part of canon but isn't.
What I'm referring to is an interview with the Muv-Luv developers by Giuseppe Nelva, a writer for TwinFinite. An interesting tidbit is that they are interested in stories set in other countries, and written in those countries by the writers themselves who live there. While by no means is it a sure-fire way of getting hired, or even having the work be adapted in some form, it really got me thinking on new avenues of exploration of the Muv-Luv universe, whether in Alternative, Unlimited, or the other branches of timelines without the BETA.
I sincerely do hope that you all enjoy this story and stick around for more to come in the future. I really wanted to capture that feel of a visual novel, so the writing will be geared to be similar in that aspect. Without further ado, I do hope you enjoy your journey through Muv-Luv: The Stars that Glitter in the Skies.
Prologue: A Dream Long Forgotten
I never really understood the concept of growing up. As a kid, whenever I would ask what being a grown-up was like, the responses that I would be given were varied.
"It's heaven." Said a close friend of my father. A friend who managed several real estate properties and had several stocks in top companies all over the world.
"It's hell." Said a close friend of my mother. A friend who had to work long hours in an office with an overbearing boss.
"It's what you make of it." Said the best friend of my oldest sister. Who was on her way to Harvard University.
"It's being someone different." Said my uncle, with a faraway look in his eyes.
Sometimes, I would never get my answer. Sometimes, I wished that someone or something explained to me the fear that grew in my chest as I slowly passed through the years. On the final day of middle school, before summer break, I made a promise to the old man living down the street.
"Old man Matt, what do you mean you're going away for a long time?"
Old man Matt looked at me with a sort of glazed look in his eyes. His hair had long lost its luster, and his body had undergone a rapid change from last year. He looked like a living skeleton, as though all the vitality he possessed had been sucked away from him.
"I'm going away. It's hard for an old man like myself to live in a house all by my lonesome. I just sold it to a nice couple yesterday."
He looked at me, nodded a few times and patted me on the head.
"You be good now you hear? I used to be a kid like you, but I let my future slip right between my fingers."
I forced back Old man Matt's hand and scoffed. I wasn't a kid any longer. I was about to enter high school, and I for sure didn't want to be treated as though I was still in elementary.
"I'm not a kid anymore old man! Just you watch! One day, everyone will know my name! I'll be the talk of the world!"
Old man Matt laughed, dug around in his pockets and handed me a rectangular object.
"What's this? A harmonica? Why are you giving me this?"
My eyes drifted over the wood and silver instrument. Even if I knew nothing about how to make one, I could instantly tell the immaculate craftsmanship and love that had been poured into its creation.
"A parting gift. I used to play that sucker all the time! Girls from around the neighborhood always enjoyed listening to the tunes I would play! Gyahaha!"
I had no words. The old man was ready to leave, and with it, all the memories that the two of us had built together.
"But you know, partings aren't always sad affairs. Sometimes, they're great. I'm counting on you, Matthew. Promise me you'll be someone that I can say that I met before they were famous."
"Of course! I'm not settling for less! You'll see!"
Old man Matt looked at me, his face contorted into an expression that I had never seen before on his face. I had seen it plenty of times on the other adults, but never his.
"Alright. Time for me to go."
A black car was waiting for Old man Matt. He waved back several times as he drove off.
Clutching the harmonica tightly, I waved back until I couldn't see him any longer.