Once upon a time, a young empress brought forth a brave warrior to save their world.
Now years later, Fantasia is in peril once more & Fate brings these two people together for a second time......
A beautiful, courageous empress longing for adventure.
A handsome, valiant warrior destined for a mission.
But even in the blackest darkness there is hope.
Even along the most difficult quest there is love.
This is their tale.
DISCLAIMER:This story is based on the characters and places created by the author of The NES.
Author's Note: I'd like to thank my fellow NES fans & 'Net-Sisters: Cali, Val, & Lion for without their help and supporting this fic with their ideas and input for without them this story would have stayed buried in my mind for a very long time. I love you all
"Why is it so dark?"
"In the beginning, it is always dark."
In the inky blackness a soft glow of light slowly began to revel two people: the first was a boy of twelve. He looked confusedly at the other opposite him--a girl who was about ten years of age--with whom he was sharing this dark silent space. His dark eyes narrowed as they moved from the girl's face to the hand she held out between them.
"What is that?"
The Childlike Empress's face was grave, her eyes staring down at her outstretched hand. It was a long moment before she made any response to his question. "One grain of sand," she whispered, "it is all that remains of my vast empire…."
The boy's face fell, his heart sinking as the reality of her words embedded itself deep in the pit of his stomach. "So, so Fantasia is totally destroyed?" he croaked.
"Yes."
"But, but hasn't everything in Fantasia been in vain?"
Moonchild shook her head, "No, Bastian, it has not been in as much vain as you might think it has."
Bastian stared at her in near bewilderment.
"With your help, my wold can be reborn," she continued, noting the look on her savior's face, " By your dreams and wishes Fantasia will live once again."
"How?"
There was a long pause, but when the Empress spoke again, her voice was barely above a whisper. "Open your hand…"
Bastian did as he was told.
Very, very carefully she placed in his hand the tiny grain of sand she'd been holding. He looked down as she withdrew her own hand from his; his eyes fixed on the wee object lying there. Looking closer, he saw the light, which had enabled him to see, was actually coming from this speck of sand. Moonchild's voice broke his thoughts.
"What are you going to wish for? Because without your wishes Fantasia will no longer exist."
Bastian swallowed hard, he felt as if the apple he'd eaten earlier had turned to lead in his stomach. "I…. I don't know," he confessed, "how, how will I know the wishes will come true, and besides, how many of them am I allowed to make?"
"You can make as many wishes as you choose," she told him, "For the more wishes you make and the more dreams you dream, the more extraordinary Fantasia will become."
Bastian's jaw dropped. "Really? You mean it?"
"Just trust me," was all she said, " try one wish and see what becomes of it. But there is one other thing that you must know."
"What?"
"As you age, both Fantasia and myself will age as well."
"But, but, how?"
Moonchild smiled, "Let me explain"
Bastian fell silent.
"For every year that you get older, Fantasia's lifespan will advance a bit more."
"Does that go for you too?"
"Yes, it goes for me also, but in a different sort of way."
"What way is that?"
"Every year of your own lifetime I, myself will be two years older then I am now. So in your fourteenth year Fantasia will be two years old and I will be twelve years of age".
"What you are saying is that as I grow older, both you and Fantasia age?"
"That is correct."
Bastian stared at her open mouthed and dumbstruck.
"Now," she said, smiling, "about that first wish…."
Bastian got the hint. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, thinking. It was a long time before he spoke.
"Well, then my first wish is…."
Smiling wistfully, Moonchild let her own eyes slide close….