Prologue: Radiant Mythology
Black boots touched down upon the crystal floor as the entity materialised into existence. A human shaped figure garbed in a long black coat and trousers. A hood casting an unnatural pitch black darkness over where the face should be.
A pale blue crystal floor stretched out in every direction into infinity to meet an endless blue sky above. The crystal floor translucent enough to offer a sight of a deep blue abyss of water, flowing gently almost as if it was part-energy.
No one would expect to find this landscape deep within the core of a moon; Cut off from reality itself as a realm projected into existence. Some worlds would refer to this concept as a Reality Marble.
To further add to the surreal nature of this realm; computer based code would periodically manifest in portions in the crystal, the sky, the air around the figure itself.
This was the deepest level of a created reality known as The Photonic Abyss or the Serial Phantasm. Se. Ra. Ph.
An artificial environment made manifest by this moon, no, that would be simplifying it too much. By a collection of some variant of photonic crystals that had been gathered into a strange almost super computer like construct. Whatever civilisation had designed such a feat had left it here long before this moon even existed. The moon forming around it as a shell, becoming one with it. Few knew of the construct, fewer of Serial Phantasm. Those who did know of the construct would refer to it as The Moon Cell.
The figure had yet to make any move since materialising. There was no need. The moment they had been made manifest in this realm, they were already known to The Moon Cell. It observed everything in the universe, scanning every world in a nanosecond. An archive of everything that was and is, running simulations for almost every possibility that could be.
With that in mind it was likely aware of this being's arrival before it even manifested.
Finally the figure spoke, a voice that sounded like a young adult male human but came with a distorted echo that any listening would wonder just what the truth of this being was, "For my clarification. You know who I am?"
For clarification The Moon Cell generated multiple holograms of various figures in the same clothing. Names floating above them. One by one they disappeared. Xehanort, Xemnas, Xigbar, Marluxia, Saïx, Luxu, Master of Masters. One by one these names and figures disappeared along with others until just one remained standing opposite the entity.
The name above it would repeatedly shift to different identifications: Yagami, Genesis, Delusion, Remnant. One name just resembled a mess of glitched code. "Yagami will do."
The hologram disappeared and Yagami addressed the system again. "I'm here to give my thanks, but first... You know what I want to see. One last reminder."
More holograms, no, the reality marble around Yagami was shifting. Now they stood in a barren wasteland; hundreds, maybe even thousands of strange weapons in key-like designs embedded into the ground as if monuments in a graveyard leaving a crossroads between them.
There in the middle of these crossroads as a silver and azure light shined down from above, a girl in her late teens with long pink hair cried over a body she held closely in her arms. A sword beside her, its silver hilt adorned with golden pieces for the guard, a pale blue crystal placed within. Its blade; seemingly of energy, a soft green, shifting into turquoise the further down the blade it went, an ever present green energy aura radiated around it.
This changed as the hilt slowly transitioned into shades of purple, the gem becoming yellow. The blade itself becoming shades of purple, this colour shifting even to the energy aura that now seemed far more ominous of an aura than its now lost radiance.
Everything faded away as reality shifted. Now the landscape of a damaged city. Two middle aged men; two opponents standing opposite each other in the plaza before a tall skyscraper, a citadel. Rain falling down as one by one the stars in the night sky were covered by a darkness that offered an ominous green glow across the land.
One, a man with messy wild red hair coming to the shoulders threw off the black fedora he was wearing as he held his arms out while the rain came down upon his long black coat over a gray and white mantle and black trousers. The wide mocking smile on his face as his amber eyes looked to his opponent made it seem like he was already relishing in some kind of victory.
His opponent, with black hair dripping in the rain, stared back angrily with blue eyes, a beard also upon his face. His clothing a formal black suit. His right arm raised as thirteen different weapons manifested around him; their appearance like blue transparent crystals as they floated around him in a circular motion. One more blade of physical form manifested in that right hand.
An identical set of weapons, but with a red transparency to them, manifested around the red haired man as both prepared to wage some kind of final battle.
Everything faded away as one final reality was projected around Yagami. Standing upon a projection of the surface of the moon, they looked to the stars above to observe what from this distance could only be described as some kind of comet traversing through the cosmos.
Burning yellow in the darkness, it left behind a trail of the same colour that would burst out pulses of rings around it. As it passed by a planet, a bright light would cast off from the main comet and descend upon it.
"The Umbral Star" Yagami spoke aloud. Everything faded away again as the reality marble returned to its original landscape. "It's time. We can finally tip the scales against these universal invaders.
A hologram manifested of a large machine like construct. Almost human like in shape if not for its arms and legs being nothing more than pointed ends. Its head one could only describe as some kind of container in an ornate crown like style. One could only assume it held something within due to a strange door like point upon it. A bright blue emblem was upon this door, shaped like various demonic wings and an eye in the centre. The top of the design almost looked like some kind of draconic head. Writing of an ancient language was scattered around the emblem. A name to identify it by appeared above it: Master Unit Amaterasu.
"Yes, that is correct." Yagami spoke as if understanding why the Moon Cell projected this hologram "Those chosen to wield the Azure are arriving." The hologram fragmented and faded away.
Yagami held out their left arm before them as if reaching out to someone or something "I thank you again for placing your trust in us. Trust in the dream. I promise you a new era."
With those dramatics, Yagami vanished away as though they were never there, to points unknown to move onto their next phase. The Moon Cell's observations carried on like they always had, like they always would.
Its simulations preparing for as many future possibilities as it could. Its systems preparing its own countermeasures and tactics for if a necessary time to utilise them occurred. Preparing for those that would try to uphold legacies or create their own.
Legacy.
One could feel a great joy in representing the efforts and ideals of a legacy their predecessors had left for them. Or they could feel burdened by the pressure of living in its shadow.
For Anna it was definitely both.
Lana Lansfeld, her mother, was known to many worlds as a great hero and a Queen. Kevin Keene, her father, had saved so many worlds and was known to them as Captain N, The Game Master.
Anna was proud of their accomplishments, of the admiration people had for her family. She was proud to be their daughter. But with so many years of heroics they had built up a lot for Anna to live up to.
Sometimes it was difficult to travel and for first impressions to be that she was their daughter. Not to be known as Anna Keene, but as Daughter of Captain N, as daughter of Queen Lana.
She had to admire her sister's ability to stand independent and her confidence in it.
Legacy was why she always enjoyed coming to this world though. The world itself was known to most off-worlders by the same name as its ancient Goddess: Hylia.
Anna had arrived here by the invite of Zelda. Princess of the largest kingdom on this world: Hyrule.
Here on this world, Zelda and her champion: Link were locked in an endless cycle of reincarnation. Returning every so often in new lives with new memories to deal with an embodiment of hatred and darkness that would return again and again.
With the knowledge of this cycle and of the legacy her past lives had left her, Zelda and Anna bonded easily over the relatable mixture of pride and pressure.
The Kingdom of Hyrule was currently enjoying a festival dedicated to celebrating it's time of peace, honouring the world's goddess as well as the Courage and Wisdom of its heroes across the ages. It would always start towards the end of the year and end on the first day of the next.
Anna was invited by Zelda to attend as a guest of the Royal Family, but not because of family ties.
Anna was here as a friend, an ally, a warrior and hero in her own right.
After so many visits to this world, people knew and remembered her. She got to enjoy conversations about their culture, their lives, their history. The people of this world's questions to her were with honest interest in her own activities, eager to hear how a friend of their princess and their hero fought her own battles.
It was so refreshing to spend all this time without receiving any question about upholding her parents legacy.
Taking a break from the festival, the young twenty year old princess had sat down on a blanket laid out on the grass off from the main marketplace.
Shoulder length auburn hair moved a little in the wind as she brushed it back with white skinned hands and smiled looking around.
Green eyes scanned over the groups of people having fun and relaxing, enjoying peace from generations of protection from their heroes "maybe-" Anna murmured to herself "-legacy's not an accurate way to think of it."
She had been so lost in thought that she hadn't noticed the group of children coming up to her until a child's young dark brown skinned hand gently tugged at her one-piece sky blue dress.
Anna looked over at the gathered children, some trying to avoid eye contact. Others shifting from one foot to another. She smiled softly at them, leaning forward to look at them more "Oh? what's wrong?"
"Princess" the girl at the front began to stutter out "We were wanting, um, we were hoping-"
Another girl slightly older, looking similar enough to be related, helped her by continuing to speak "We were hoping to hear if you had any stories to tell. Ones you grew up with."
"You want to hear what kind of legends or fairy tales I was raised on?" they all sheepishly nodded. She just smiled more warmly "Okay. Sit comfortably and I'll try and pick a good one."
As the kids excitedly scrambled to sit down, Anna noticed Zelda off at the edge of the marketplace smiling apologetically over to her. She smiled back and shook her head slightly, mouthing "it's fine."
There were so many stories she could tell. Legends from various worlds, exploits of heroes across history, even just various fairy tales from different cultures. As she looked upon the gathered children, a nostalgic memory began to surface.
A time in her youth when her and other kids were gathered around to hear stories of a time long forgotten. Appearances were so difficult to remember but the story had always stuck with her. Yes, if there was any to choose then it was that one.
"Okay. A long time ago, all the worlds were bathed in the warmth of a radiant azure light. To many it was a beauty like starlight. Two worlds, one of dawn, and one beyond all others, felt the beauty of this the most.
On the world of Dawn: two kingdoms of light and dark lived in perfect harmony. Crystallised Light led by a line of Kings and Queens, Dark guided safely by a line of Oracles.
It was on this world that a King and an Oracle would be chosen by Six Gods to lead this era of light.
On The World Beyond, this gift of Azure light was kept safe by a gift from the gods. The World Tree, the first of its kind. A tree that would take care of the world and all those who live upon it, protected by a champion chosen by Maxwell, Lord of Spirits. This champion held the title of Descender.
It was on this world that warriors guided by their hearts would train to protect others from dark forces."
Anna paused to check if the kids were still following okay, they were pretty enthralled by her soft voice telling this story. She smiled again and resumed.
"But with this light, with this love for the light. Eventually people began to desire it for themselves. A scourge began to plague the stars themselves as people began to fight over the light... and a darkness, a corrupting malevolence, was born in their hearts.
The King of Light and the Oracle of Dark stepped forth to restore the peace but unfortunately they were stopped. Careful plans by the gods were broken by betrayal. This betrayer has remained in history known only by the title given by one of The Six. The Chaos Lord.
There are beings recorded throughout history known as Lords of Calamity. Even Ganon is recorded as such. But The Chaos Lord stands far above them."
The children had heard a lot of stories of Ganon's destruction, so they were understandably uneasy at the story's turn. Anna couldn't blame them, she remembered feeling the same way.
But she knew the rest would make up for it "But when it looked like all would fall into chaos, that the light would fade forever. Light survived in the hearts of children. Gifted by the World Tree's guardian with that power, they sealed away The Chaos Lord and brought light back to the worlds.
Some say that the true Azure light still sleeps deep within the darkness, but even there in the darkness it still shines out." She looked at the kids and smiled more softly at them "So remember, when you look at the blue sky, at the starry night. The light is always there to protect you. No matter how dark things get, there is always a light to guide you. Children saved the worlds with nothing more then hope, children like you. Believe in yourself and your hearts will shine with wisdom and courage just like Princess Zelda and Link."
At the end of the story, at being told a message of hope and that even they can be like Zelda and Link, the kids all excitedly talked amongst themselves, thanking Anna for the story.
She smiled and thanked them for being such polite listeners, apologised if she dragged on a bit then told them they should run along before any of their parents worry.
Anna watched them go then leaned back to look up to the bright blue sky, reflecting on her issues and her story, It's not about living up to a legacy. She laid back and smiled, feeling the warmth of the sun on her as her eyes closed, It's about helping the next generation.
Everything her parents done wasn't to set high standards to live up to. It was to ensure she and other children could have so many possibilities out there. Now it was her turn. It was her turn to ensure there was peaceful worlds out there, full of possibilities for the generations to come.
But for now, she was part of that next generation.
But the thing about generations is that not every threat from previous generations is content to let their ambitions fade away.
Outside of the kingdom, teleporting down from off-world was a different threat then this world was used to.
Machines of various types slowly materialised and began to make their way to Hyrule Castle and the town around it, all led by a balding elderly man with an appearance and moustache that could be described as making him look like Einstein.
An old enemy of her parents, Doctor Albert Wily. He looked upon the town and grinned widely. A hand stretched out to the town then closed into a fist, commanding his robots "Go. Find the princess and bring her to me!"
The incoming invasion of Hyrule was displayed upon multiple computer screens, watched by a young white woman of roughly twenty years in age. There was something about the way she stood, the expression in her eyes, that gave off a sense of loneliness. Even in the dim lighting of this room no one would be able to miss her with her long green hair and red eyes.
Her clothing gave the impression of being from a Mega Man timeline with it's slightly futuristic style to the make of the clothing; a black bodysuit, a white dress over this with some parts at the sides turned light blue. Metal boots of the same colours finished the outfit. She watched as the first assault began. Town guards blasted back as the stone of the watchtowers cracked and blew apart under the fire of energy weapons. The gates crashing to the floor as a machine army marched into town.
Link had been the first out of himself, Anna and Zelda to reach the soldiers. Heroic impulses on an instinctual level leading him before his mind had even assessed the situation. Sword strikes cutting down attacker after attacker. Shield bashes knocking them back or blocking shots.
The battle was truly underway, the green haired girl looked over her shoulder to a different side of the room speaking in a voice that had an almost distant tone to it, an air of mystery "It's impressive that the Moon Cell can transmit its observations all the way here. I guess it really is time now?" Her left hand was absentmindedly holding onto a blue and white bracelet on her right wrist, a few pieces of alexandrite forming part of it, held in place by a red segment of the bracelet.
There on the other side of the room was a large mechanical contraption. A large metallic ring in a style one would liken to a Stargate and standing before it was Yagami.
They turned away from the gate, walking up to join the woman and look at the footage "Last chance to back out, Pandora. It all starts getting difficult from here."
The woman now identified as Pandora looked back at the screen to observe Anna, now holding an gun stylized after her father's Zapper, taking down a few Mettaur type robots with precise energy shots before they could hide under their oversized helmets. "start?" she questioned, amusement entering her tone of voice "I joined knowing this wouldn't be easy."
A slight chuckle from the hooded figure "That you did. Thank you" Yagami turned to look down at the table to four files spread across the table. Pictures of four different white skinned people. A nineteen year old boy with brown hair and blue eyes, a nineteen year old girl with pink hair and red eyes, a twenty-one year old guy with brown hair and brown eyes and a twenty-two year old guy with black hair and green eyes. The twenty-two year old's file had the word "Confirmed" written over the top of it.
"It's time for new Game Masters. For the next generation."
Author Notes:
Note 1: Welcome new readers and old to a story that took five years to return. I'd rather not do a long author's note but I feel it necessary to tackle this elephant in the room here.
So for context for new readers. This story originally came out in 2007 and I deleted it in 2012. Part of that was due to wanting to reboot it but another part was I had a lot of heavy stuff going on in my life at the time and it drained me of all motivation to write. It's taken a long time to get that back.
What followed was five years of continuously coming up with ideas and plans but never being satisfied. Now here we are at the end of 2017 and I finally feel that writing energy again. I still think I have a long way to go with my writing but I finally feel satisfied. Plus as a certain anime called Re:Creators educates: If you don't feel like your writing can be shown to others, when exactly are you going to show it? (Side Note: Watch Re:Creators. Can't give enough praise to how positive it is to anyone with a desire for creativity.)
I can't promise a really stellar upload schedule. I work in retail and I still have a lot of stuff to deal with. But I can promise this time the story will not be deleted. (If it ever does, then it was not my decision and will be back up ASAP.) I have spent my time thinking of ideas and writing small drafts for scenes though so I feel that will help keep the story updated decently enough.
If you're a new reader, welcome. Hope you stick around. If you're an old reader? I'm surprised you came back but I thank you. The story has changed massively, I think you'll be surprised.
Note 2: This story as you can tell uses Captain N as a base but it also isn't really based on Captain N. Events will be elaborated on throughout the story but just for clarification. The basic idea of Captain N's events has occurred. Kevin gets pulled into a different universe where game characters exist, but in this case: all fiction. He teams up with Lana and other heroes. And that's basically it.
The messed up character designs and personality traits from Captain N do not exist here, and a lot of the events that happen in the show did not happen in this backstory. Again: all of this will be elaborated on in the story. I just feel like it's good to cover it here. Captain N was a bad show but the core concept is a nice idea and I wanted to at least use that with massive changes.
Note 3: Old readers may also remember that the original story was part of a shared multiverse with good friend and fellow fanfiction author: dragonridley. Our stories now stand as separate verses. There will still be occasional allusions to each other due to specific plot in Game Master, plus a small event far in the future in his stories. But our stories are no longer vital to the understanding of the others. It's a decision made to give us more creative freedom with our ideas without tying down to the other's. Also helps keep it a lot less confusing with the amount of time-space plotlines we both like to write. fanfiction author and also good friend: Blue The Hedgehog is also still a contributor of ideas to this story.
Note 4: Hyrule as well as the designs for Link and Zelda is based on Hyrule Warriors. It gives me a lot more freedom to write with my own version of that then the other points in the series timelines.
Note 5: Currently this story is in anime x-overs/game x-overs section. It will encompass a variety of different types of fiction though. I may move categories into a general x-overs but I feel like anime and games are the predominant focus so it works the best.
Note 6: This Prologue as well as Chapters 1, 2, and 3, have all gone up together. With the long wait, I wanted to at least have more than one chapter of content up to read.
Well that should be everything important said.
Let the games begin.