Timidus Memoria
By:
Setalina Muro
Summary: When a dark prince is threatening to manipulate a kingdom by betrothing himself to the new-born princess, a royal mage, Pegasus, takes matters into his own hands. But when the time comes for her to return, something goes wrong. Why doesn't she remember anything? Optic/Silentshipping
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh or any places, people and/or other things you are familiar with from the show or anything else. The plot, however, is mine.
A/N:Just before we start, you all should know that the moral of this story is that you should never let your daughter grow-up watching cheesy romance animes like Sailor Moon. They end up being pathetic saps, rather like myself.
Notes on the Story:
(TNS) will be a helpful little symbol directing you to the 'Translation and Notes Section'. Because I've decided to use Latin terms for this story, the section will be necessary. It will most likely have additional tidbits to make certain the story is understood.
Disney-esque story here, as well. Guess what that means?
Prelude
Ceteris Paribus
-'All Other Things Held Constant'-
Through the depression-racked night there was little to be seen in the forest. There was no moon, and so the cloaked figure moved unseen. His footsteps were light and he disturbed nothing as he dashed through the trees. He could not tell how long he had been running, but now, as he neared a tall cliff, his pace slowed and he crept to the edge of it, gazing out across the valley.
Down below him lay a village, alight that night by mage candles and torches. The celebration was to welcome a prince from the darker side, Ater, a land far beyond the castle of Levis, shrouded in shadow. The two had been enemies for centuries, torn by war and death. But now, Prince Seto, prompted by the sudden death of his father, had presented the King of Levis with a truce; an act of good will, he called it. The two nations would join when the newborn princess was of marrying age. (TNS)
The cloaked man snorted in disgust and stood up, turning his back to the welcoming light. In his arms, he held a small, tightly wrapped bundle. He gazed at it for a moment, disgruntled that such a small creature would be such a burden.
He started suddenly as a twig snapped in the forest.
"Precious cargo?" a deep voice hissed from the shadows.
The figure was emerging now, dressed in a sweeping obsidian cloak. The face beneath it was half-veiled, but easily enough identified by a set of cicatrices there.
"Bakura!"
The new figure did not appear perturbed by the instant recognition. A devious grin spread across his face.
"Why so surprised, Pegasus?" he mocked. "You should have known I was coming."
Pegasus threw back the dark burgundy hood, silver hair glinting in the pale starlight. He scowled toward the other man. "You're right. Ishould have known the darker side would send you."
Bakura snarled. "I don't hold by the rules of those fops."
"Unless they pay you enough."
The other's eyes darted to the bundle in Pegasus's arms. "There is a rather generous bounty, certainly."
"She is a child!" Pegasus snapped. "How heartless are you that you would deliver them an innocent baby? Do you have any idea what would happen to her?"
"I don't care."
"Of course you don't." Pegasus's free hand began to twitch and he held the small child closer to his chest. "But I have been assigned a task and I have no intention of failing."
From a small pouch at his side, he pulled a fine, shimmering red dust and thrust it into the air. It hung between them and Bakura snickered.
"Think that will stop me?" he mocked, moving his hand to part it. But he hissed suddenly and jerked back, blood emerging from a myriad of small cuts on his hand.
"I know my magic well, Bakura," Pegasus said, matter-of-factly. "Don't think I don't."
"I'd hope so," Bakura shot back, crimson dripping down his fingertips. "You've been a servant mage to the Queenship for…how long now?"
Pegasus bristled and electricity jolted through the dust field. "I'll kill you to keep this child safe," he threatened. "Do not tempt me."
Bakura began to laugh until suddenly a sphere of blue light struck him from the side, sending him spiraling to the ground. He landed with a heavy thud and lay still.
"Took you long enough," Pegasus nearly snarled, still angry.
A figure in purple joined Pegasus a moment later, frowning at him. She stepped closer as the defense lowered.
"My apologies," the woman bit out. "The prince…" and here her tone colored with disgust. "was detaining me."
"Of course," Pegasus responded. He glanced down at the child in his arms, then back to the woman. "We'll have to find out what he's up to before she turns twenty, Isis. There's no other way for her to be safe."
"Yes," she replied. "The memory spell will activate then as well. We must have the minions of the darker side cast out."
The two mages fell into silence, staring down at the child sleeping calmly in Pegasus's arms. She did not stir, her face peaceful in slumber. A few curling strands of russet hair could be seen on her head.
Isis moved forward, lying one dark palm across the baby's forehead. Her eyes closed slowly. "She will become a great, beloved Queen," Isis whispered, pulling back. Her hands roved across her neck to undo the clasp there as she removed a silver necklace. It was a tiny ankh and she placed it over the baby's head with tears shining in her lilac eyes.
"I will return soon," Pegasus said. "Remember to close the portal immediately behind me."
Isis nodded and pulled a white dust from her bag. It shimmered in the air for a moment after she released it then began to revolve as she added a spell to it. "Stars with knowledge of all, open for us a pathway to the sky. Part the heavens that we may pass through worlds outside our own. Grant us safe passage into your trails." The revolution of the powder grew faster and the magic dust began to clump, a white doorway emerging. "For this I beseech thee!"
The entranceway burst into existence with a flash and Pegasus sprang into its bowels. He cast Isis a farewell glance through the shrinking window before he was alone in the realm of stars. A pathway was laid out before him and he set out onto the Star Walkway. It was a shimmering belt of pale light, winding its way across the dark sky.
The mage trusted his feet to guide him and felt no urge to stray from the main path. His pace remained steady until he was distracted by the sudden chortling of the little girl in his arms. He glanced down to find her eyes open, large, hazel orbs dappled with the light of passing stars. She giggled again as a twinkling star drifted down from the endless sky and touched her forehead, dispersing like a snowflake against her pale flesh. Pegasus smiled kindly at her toothless grin and began walking again, feeling an odd sense of ease.
It was some time before he reached a point where the main path deviated into two directions. Without hesitation, he traveled left and not long after he came upon a star shining with pale, artificial light. It was the first to catch his eye the whole night and he knew this would be his princess's haven.
Carefully, he reached to touch it, and its gravity engulfed him, pulling him closer until he stood once again on solid ground.
The glow from a streetlamp bathed the park he stood in. The vague outline of trees and benches could be seen and behind him a proud statue had been erected. Cautiously, Pegasus embedded a small symbol into it. When he turned around, he started back, one hand moving toward the pouch at his side.
Two people were opposite him, staring with wide eyes. His stance relaxed slight as he appraised them. It was a man and woman that stood before him. She stood slightly behind him, one hand clasped onto his arm and his brow was furrowed in confusion. The man's hair was cut in a strange fashion, a single point protruding from his head. The woman had light purple hair, tied back with a yellow bow.
"May I…ask your names?" Pegasus queried softly, taking a step forward.
The man directed the woman further behind him, taking a defensive stance. "Who wants to know?" he demanded.
"I am Pegasus, a mage of Levis," he answered, bowing slightly. "I bring with me a child who has great importance to my people. I am searching for a place to hide her while I seek to vanquish the evil from our land."
The man began to say something when the woman reached forward and took his arm, stepping in from of him. "I am Miho," she said in a sweet, high-pitched voice, smiling. "This is my husband, Hiroto Honda."
Pegasus nodded his head. "You have a kind heart. It radiates through your face." He took another step forward. "You will care for her?" he asked. "As if she were of your own blood?"
Miho also stepped closer. "I will."
The mage stared down at the child again. "You have a destiny awaiting you," he whispered to her. "Grow beautiful and wise. Be happy with your life here." He leaned down and touched his forehead to hers, barely breathing the next few words. "I will come for you one day, Shizuka. And then our kingdom will be safe." Her tiny fingers curled around his silvery hair for a moment and she tugged gently, gazing up at him with shining topaz orbs, imploring him to keep his promise.
Miho's arms extended to receive the baby as Pegasus held her out and stepped back. She retreated to her husband's side, gazing down lovingly at the child in her arms.
"Take care of her," Pegasus said, turning his back to them and retreating through a new portal. He barely heard Miho whisper 'We will' before it closed behind him.
He sighed as he made his way back through the realm to his own land. The morning side was rising, and exhausted, Pegasus stepped through the portal just as the sun crested the horizon. He sat for a very long time against a tree, watching the orange globe tread its way through the sky. It was nearing its highest arc when suddenly he heard footsteps…
To Be Continued…
Translation and Note Section
Timidus Memoria: Fearful Memory- for reasons that can be explained at a later point. Wouldn't want to give anything away, now would we?
Levis: Light- presented here as a kingdom full of kind people with a merciful king. It is ruled by Queenship, meaning the crown is passed down mother to daughter. Very rarely will a male heir ascend the throne.
Ater: Darkness – the kingdom of dark and sin; its people are devious and corrupt. Now what does that tell you about its crown princes?
A/N:It was in the conversation finding the title for this story that Yamiko gave to me my title as master of Opticshipping, a badge (or crown, if you prefer) that I wear proudly. At this point, starting on story number seven for this pairing, I choose to laugh at you and declare 'Mwhaha. You'll never catch up!'
I have an angsty Pegasus-fic on the way (vague Opticshipping) and something else that I can't quite recall at the moment. And I know the prelude was short, but I almost completely promise to have the first chapter out before the end of the year. Thanks for reading! Please review!