Author's Note: Yes, yes, I have a thousand stories I need to finish, but I really needed to write this down before it left my memory completely. This unbelievably epic tale, which I will wager to be one of my longer stories, took up a lot of my daydreaming time while I was sick. And I openly admit that this first chapter doesn't say very much, but trust me when I say all will make sense if you're willing to stick with me on this one. There are a lot of new characters in this story, but don't worry, they'll be surrounded by plenty of familiar faces!
/\/\/\
Many years ago, one of the galaxies was divided up into the eight kingdoms. Almost seven hundred planets were joined within the collection of kingdoms, with each major empire controlling an equal share. The rulers of the eight kingdoms worked together in a peaceful manner, making sure that resources were shared and civilians were cared for. Each planet had its own political system, and worked well as a city-state, but they were ruled carefully by the eight empires. They were kings and queens, emperors and empresses, powerful men and women who made certain that the worlds were maintained.
For several centuries, the eight kingdoms shared equally and without greed. From the time of infancy, the royals were taught the four tenants of the empires: Loyalty, Honor, Strength, and Power.
Loyalty to those who have earned it. To never turn their back on an ally, to stand up for one another, to never betray another.
Honor at all times. To hold true to every oath given, to ensure that justice is served in a swift but fair manner, to always stand by the principals that they were to live by.
Strength in person. To maintain the highest standards of both physical strength and strength of character, to never let themselves falter in body or soul.
Power for the empires. To keep all of the planets within their parameters under careful control, to allow them to exist as individual worlds but maintaining the ability to assert absolute control, if need be.
The generations of leaders were always bred at the same time, ensuring that they could be raised together, educated together, and for a few years of their youth, to live together. It helped them learn to trust each other, to depend on each other, and to function as a single, impenetrable unit. By the time they reached adulthood, they were always the best of friends and allies, keeping the kingdoms remarkably close. They always chose a mate within their own race, choosing to keep each kingdom separated and not risk a power struggle.
And so the empires thrived, always able to fend off invaders, to stop what few uprisings there were, and to provide good lives for their citizens.
But as time wore on, one of the empires was no longer satisfied with their share. They began to demand more power, more wealth, more control. They threatened the other kingdoms, saying that if demands were not met, retaliation would be swift and brutal.
The other seven rulers scoffed at the notion. They were all equal in power and control, so if that one decided to break off and attack, they would be swiftly subdued by the united front of the other seven. They offered the rebelling empire a chance to peacefully return to the group without fear of retribution, and for a brief while, it seemed that all would be peaceful.
Slowly, though, weaknesses began to form in the other empires. The ones who had threatened to rebel had not returned peacefully. They had returned to infiltrate and form a strong hold against the other worlds, and they did their job well. Riots broke out and couldn't be contained. Rebellions began to spring up that authorities could not control. Anger, aggression, and rage seemed to spread like a plague throughout all eight kingdoms at once.
The rising rulers were adolescents when the wars began to start up, and they began to question why, after so many years of care, the citizens would turn on them. Bitterness began to form in them, and the trust that had been solid and dependable for generation after generation began to splinter and break apart.
Each one of them became fiercely protective of the worlds that were "theirs". Resources stopped flowing freely from one system to another. Planets began to struggle as supplies were running short. In times of difficulty, the worlds of the respective empires began to turn on each other.
Two more generations came and went, and the eight empires were no longer balanced and equal. Broken into factions with sub-factions, the rulers took what they could from one another without remorse. The largest kingdom, the one that had started the rebellions, held several hundred planets in its power. The smallest held only a handful. The rulers no longer spoke to one another unless they were making demands, and diplomacy seemed totally lost. They seemed almost unaware of how close they had once been. The only agreement any of them had was of their hatred of the eighth kingdom.
But while the rulers drifted into their own levels of greed and hatred, many of the citizens were old enough to remember the good days, the days of plenty. They remembered how every few decades, when the next generation was ready, the royal children were taken away to be trained as a single, impenetrable unit. They remembered the cooperation of the worlds, and the prosperity that it brought. And they were determined to once again have peace.
So warriors and nobles from the seven remaining kingdoms met in secret, brought together by determination to save their worlds. They formed a society that they carefully hid, knowing that if they were ever discovered, hope would be lost. For several years they hid and planned, knowing that if they were going to have any chance at success, they would need to unite the seven empires again. With their current rulers, there was no hope of peace. But if they could wait a few years…
It took many, many years of hard work, scheming, manipulating, but they finally managed to pull off the first stage of their plan. The next generation had to be made, and the society ensured that, as each new royal came along, it was genetically manipulated to be far superior to the other members of their respective races. They tried to make sure that each empire had at least two potential heirs, but only three were successful. The society managed to obtain positions in their home worlds that allowed them to be teachers and caretakers of these young charges, and from infancy, they were taught all that their ancestors had known: Loyalty, Honor, Strength, Power.
These lessons were kept from their parents, kept from the rest of their worlds. They learned, from those earliest of years, that what they were doing was secret and dangerous. They were taught history, economics, political science, biology, chemistry, basic engineering skills, fighting skills, diplomacy, and survival skills. Each had their greatest talents heightened to levels that their people had never before seen. They were taught everything they could know as individuals, until the time had come for them to partake in that ancient tradition not seen by their great grandparents. They were taken to live together, to learn together, to survive together as a single, impenetrable force.
And so, on that fateful day, the future leaders of the seven empires met for the first time:
Ronai, princess of the Rothulian Empire. Approximately seven Earth years old, with a gift for heat and fire. Her skin was a brilliant crimson, and was at such a high natural temperature that so much as a brush from her bare skin could set almost anything on fire.
Irinya, princess of the Mehgur Empire. She was roughly eight, with skin a brilliant gold and softer, orange and yellow hair that fell across her narrow shoulders. Her people were well known for their ability to teleport, and she was no exception.
Zierke and Zarbon, brother princes from the Tuleque Empire. They were fourteen and twelve, respectively, when they met the others. While they were powerful fighters, their true powers came from their ability to manipulate those around them. Their skills of persuasion were unprecedented.
Shishki, princess of the Ingarthan Empire. A ten year old with a knack for engineering, she loved playing with her power over electricity. Her pale, cat like appearance was softened by an impressive flowing mane that ran all the way down her back.
Dorgian, prince of the Hethgain Empire. At sixteen, he was the eldest among the group. The lavender tint of his skin gave him a soft appearance, but he was a natural leader and a powerful ally.
Jeice and Jaikan, twin princes from the Bokure Empire. The eleven year olds were physically identical, but they held radically different personalities. Jeice was wild, free, and outgoing, willing to take risks and jump into the fray. Jaikan was quieter, more reserved, but no less dangerous if provoked. The boy was brilliant almost beyond comparison, and one could never tell just what weapon or trick he had up his sleeves.
Vegeta and Takyra, prince and princess of the Saiyan Empire. They were close in age, not even a year apart, so while he was the elder, they were both technically six years old. They Saiyans were best known for their physical prowess, and brother and sister did not disappoint. On top of their natural ability to fight, Vegeta was a brilliant strategist, and Takyra had a gift working with water.
There was one more thrown in with them, a girl with no empire of her own, but a key member all the same. Romaniyae was half Rothulian and half Saiyan, the product of curiosity on behalf of the society. Genetically engineered from the beginning, the society held great hopes for her. She held the bronzed skin, brown tail, and natural fighting abilities of her Saiyan side, but her bright red hair, shining blue eyes, and ability to manipulate fire as well as any Rothulian before her.
They day they met would have made history, but their secret was kept so well that none outside of their group ever knew about them. They were there to do what should have been done decades before they were born.
They were determined to come together once again, and to finally bring down the Kold Empire.
/\/\/\
Author's Note: For those of you who stayed with me until the end of the page, a few notes and disclaimers that would have made no sense at the top.
First of all, with the exception of the Saiyans and the Kolds, I totally made up each of the empires. As far as I know, Jeice and Zarbon had no 'official nationality'.
Secondly, for those of you saying, "Um, you know those guys hate each other, right?" I assure you that it will all be dealt with.
And third…there was a third thing I was going to say, but I have no idea what it is. If I remember, I'll let you know.