AN: This story, as you can obviously see, is slightly based on The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker. Perhaps not so obvious are references to Rising Star's hugely enjoyable game, Little King's Story. That's all I've got to say, so prepare yourself for:
Edventure: The Unborn Darkness
By LucasBravvus97
Disclaimer: I do not own Ed, Edd n Eddy/Danny Antonucci, nor do I own Legend of Zelda/Capcom or Rising Star/Little King's Story. All I own are O.C.'s, creatures and the world this story is set in. According to Alphia's timeline, this story is set in 1000 A.D. Thoughts are in Italics, Magic spells and, for first mention, weapons in Bold, memories/flashbacks italics,important events underlined, really important events bold/underlined. I hope you like it.
Prologue
Narrator: Unknown
2000 years ago, our planet, Alphia, was in a great era of peace…yet also tension. The largest continent, Irona, was ruled by seven kingdoms. Most of them covered vast areas of Irona, and while no wars were waged, each nation was not particularly friendly to outsiders. One tiny kingdom, however, was the exception. The kingdom of Alcrora, nestled in the grassy heart of Irona, was ruled by the greatest king ever to walk this planet. King Curobos I. Curobos expanded the kingdom of Alcrora, and conquered each kingdom from their…misguided kings. After much hardship, the continent of Irona was united under one banner, and a 1000 year period of peace settled over the giant kingdom of Alcrora.
However, that would change on that tragic day-The first day of the first month of the first year of the new millenium-0 A.D. (After Destruction).
The kingdom, reigned over by King Curobos XVI, was attacked by Torophus, Lord of Demons and Monsters. With his giant hands, this behemoth being attacked Irona, and shattered it with quakes and tremors. Much of it was submerged beneath the foamy waves, with only scattered islands remaining. The Kingdom of Alcrora…was gone.
1000 years have passed, and the Island Kingdom, founded by the direct descendant of Curobos XVI, has maintained peace between the residents of the various islands. There is one island, though, in the Southern Sea, that maintains an Alcroran tradition. When the children of it's shores turn twelve years of age, they leave the island for six years. When they are eighteen, they return to the island, and make the choice whether to stay and live there, or to live on the other islands. It is on this very place, Alcorona Island, that our tale begins to weave it's story…
Chapter One: Alcorona Island
Summer 1001 A.D.-Two years ago
It was dusk on the island of Alcorona. The western beach glinted like a garden of stars in the dimming light, it's crystal-white sands tinted gold by the setting sun, ablaze in the dusk-red sky. The sea was deep blue, and still and calm. It's only movements were the ebb-and-flo of the tide on Alcorona's sandy shores. Playing on this beach were five youngsters, barefoot and shrieking, as they played the last game of the day in the sun's final, farewell rays. They flopped down, in a line, on the beach, and spent the last minutes of the day talking. They were all eleven year olds, and the best of friends.
One boy wore a short-sleeve red tunic, with wine-blue shorts. He had sea-blue irises, with dark brown hair, covered by a black ski-cap he wore to protect his scalp from the sun. His name was Eddward Cardsworth, or Edd/Double D to his friends.
The second boy was tall for his age, and he wore a leaf-green vest tunic, and oak-brown shorts, tattered from playing on the beach and climbing the island's trees. He had deep nut-brown eyes, and a fiery red buzz cut. He was Edwin Baxter, or Ed to his friends.
The final boy was small for his age, and his clothes were a desert-yellow tunic, and sky blue shorts. His eyes were dark blue, like a twilit ocean, and he had dark brown hair, with a small bit hanging over his left eye. He was known as Eddy Johnston.
Two girls were with them as well. The first girl wore a simple vibrant-pink dress, with white leggings. She had solar-blonde hair, medium in tone, which fell to a little bit under her shoulders, and she had pale-blue eyes, like the colour of the sea earlier in the day. She was Edd's sister, and her name was Zoe Cardsworth.
The second girl and final youngster wore a purple vest-tunic, and white shorts. Her sun-kissed blonde hair fell to her shoulders, and she had glossy grass-green irises. She was Rebecca Cardsworth, Edd and Zoe's cousin.
The kids sat down on the sand, and stopped talking. They stared out at the seemingly endless sea, and appreciated the sense of warmth and companionship, that could only be found in the company of friends dear to your heart. By the island's standards, they were almost adults; this would be one of the last times they would get to enjoy simply playing on the beach, a memory that would soon be rooted deep in their minds. Edd was the first to speak again:
"Ahhh…" he sighed contentedly. "This is nice…"
"I agree," said Zoe. "Its nice to simply sit with your best friends, and view the summer sun set over the horizon."
"I think so as well," murmured Rebecca.
"Me too!" cried Ed joyfully.
"Yeah…" murmured Eddy. He was attempting to sound happy, but his drooping mouth and sad eyes said otherwise.
"What's up, Eddy?" asked Rebecca, scooting over to him.
"Nothing," he said. "Its just…this is one of the last times we'll get to this this kind of thing together. Summer's nearly over, and next year we'll all be turning twelve. You know what that means…"
Everyone's heads drooped, and their emotions plummeted downwards at the mention of next year. They would all be turning twelve, and Alcoronan tradition asked that you either left the island for six years and returned when you were eighteen, or stayed on it through your teenage years. Although none of the children liked to discuss it, they all knew that not everyone would be staying on the island.
"I don't want us to break up," spoke Zoe abruptly. "We're friends, and that means that we're like a family. We're supposed to stay together."
Her voice was quivering, and the other four looked at her as she finished talking. Edd was saddened to see water glimmering in his sister's eyes, and a few tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Don't worry, Zoe," said Rebecca. She smiled as she spoke, "We are a family, and even though some of us may leave Alcorona Island, we'll never truly be apart. We will always be together, all of us, and not just us five, but the others as well, in our hearts and minds."
"C'mon, guys," spoke Eddy again, acting a bit more cheerful. "That's stuffs a year away. Let's stop speaking about it, and live in the present."
Eddy finished speaking, and the five settled into a comfortable silence. They watched the setting sun, the red sky, and the dark sea, all of them knowing, in their heart of hearts, that this was the last time they would share an experience like this together.
ooo
Spring 1003 A.D.-Present Day
Zoe stood there, in that exact same spot on the beach, two years later. Now that it was spring (more specifically April), it wasn't as warm. However, it was still sunny for spring, and good weather blessed the island-the cloudless sky was an aquamarine blue, and the sea was the same, calm and still like that fateful day two years ago.
Zoe had matured since then. The thirteen year old girl was tall and slim-very healthy looking. Her hair had grown to just above her waist, and her eyes were very intelligent looking. She wore a rosy pink dress, the same shade as the beautiful Alcoronan roses which only bloomed in summer, with a strap over each shoulder. The trimming at the bottom of the dress, just above her knees, was a dainty white lace, and she wore pink plastic sandals, with thin straps over her feet.
Zoe stood silently, staring at the immobile ocean. The memories of that summer, two years ago, flooded back to her, and a wave of nostalgia crippled her. She struggled to stay standing, and tears began to develop in the corners of her eyes. She breathed in and out slowly, forcing herself to remain calm and collected. Whenever she felt a longing for her gone friends, she always came out to this spot. When they were all younger, this was their special spot.
You see, Zoe, Edd and Ed were the only over twelve year olds that were still remaining on the island. The others had all left the day after their twelfth birthday. Edd had stayed for two reasons. The first one was that he wanted to study, as a scientist, under Professor Kole, a brilliant scholar who had left the university on Alcroria Island to settle for the peaceful small-island life. The second reason was that Kole was also a master swordsman and fencer, and was currently instructing Edd in the 'Ways of the Sword'.
Zoe had remained on the island in order to learn housekeeping and cooking skills from her mother Katherine, who was renowned all over the Forest Quadrant for her delightfully delicious delicacies. Her main reason for staying on the island, however, was so she could learn magic from Doe, a wise old Sage who was born, was raised and had studied on this very island. Secretly, she didn't want to leave her family and her home.
Ed was more complex. On the one hand, he wanted to go out into the world and have adventures, exploring and fighting monsters and discovering treasure. On the other hand, he didn't want to leave the island and his (remaining) friends. He was torn over what to do.
Zoe sighed, remembering her childhood. She turned around and walked off to Kole's house in the town, hoping she would make it for Edd and Ed's sword fighting lessons.
ooo
The island of Alcorona was large by typical island-size standards. On the eastern half of this circular island was the docks and ship bay in the south, with the town directly north of it. North of them both was the farmland and River Alcorona, which deposited it's waters in the sea. North of that was a large forest, bordered to the north by hills and a few mountains. The western half consisted of more farmland and a few scattered houses, with a tiny lake (the source of the river), beaches, more forest and mountains located there. South in the western half, on the coast, was a large stone-and-wooden lookout tower, and north in it was a small forest-covered isle, accessible only by a rope bridge.
It was in the town that Zoe found Edd and Ed. The town consisted of several houses and shops, as well as a library, warehouses and school. She came to Kole's front door, and, seeing it opened invitingly, walked in. She walked to the end of the main hallway, and pushed it open. She stepped in to Professor Kole's Training Hall.
Edd and Ed were busy preparing for their practise swordfight. Edd was thirteen, and he was now taller, as well as developing slight muscles on his arms and legs. He wore an orange-red tunic, with dark, sapphire-blue shorts. He wore simple brown lace-up boots, as well as his trademark ski-cap. He was busy wiping his blunt, wooden practise sword.
Ed was thirteen as well, and he was tall and muscular. He still had his buzz cut, and he wore a red tunic, with a murky green overcoat, as well as turquoise pants and brown hiking boots. He looked up, and saw Zoe entering. He beamed at her:
"Hiya Zoe!"
Edd looked up as well, and saw his sister sitting down in one of the small stands.
"Good morning, Zoe!"
"Hi boys," she replied. "Setting up for training, I see?"
"Yep!" replied a peppy Ed. "Master Kole says that me and Double D will soon be fully accomplished junior swordsmen!"
"That's great, Ed," said Zoe. "I guess you'll be ready to fight any monster now, hmm?"
"Yeah!"
Suddenly an old man walked into the hall. Professor Kole had thinning gray hair, and a large white beard. He wore a large blue cloak, and underneath a gray tunic, with an unbuttoned blue vest-tunic, and pants the same colour as his vest-tunic. He had simple black shoes.
"Professor Kole," said Edd bowing respectfully, as the others did. "May Ed and I begin with out training?"
"I'm afraid not, Eddward," sighed Kole, looking down at the ground.
"How come?" inquired Ed.
"Your mother just came to my door, and it seems, my dear boy, that she does not know where your sister, Sarah, is. She requested that you postpone today's lesson, and search for your sister." Kole looked at the others. "Eddward and Zoe, would you both be so kind as to assist Ed in his search?"
"Of course, Professor Kole," they both said simultaneously, and the trio walked out into the street.
ooo
"Right," said Edd. "Where should we begin our search for Sarah? She can't be in town, so where else could she be…"
"How about the watchtower?" spoke Zoe. "It's crowded with seagulls today, and who attracts seagulls like moths to a flame?"
"Hmmm…"murmured Ed, attempting to think hard. "Elle!"
"Right, and who is Elle best friends with?"
"Sarah!"
"So wherever Sarah is, so is-"
"Elle!!" cried Ed. He grabbed both of them, and raced across the island like only Ed can. They reached the foot of the tower, and walked inside it's stone interior. They climbed the winding stairwell, and reached the very top, where they came across Sarah, Jimmy, Elle and Tomas.
Jimmy was ten years old, with curly blonde hair and twinkling baby-blue eyes. He wore a sky-blue tunic, with white shorts and white sandals.
Tomas was eleven years old, and he wore a purple tunic with black shorts, and black boots. He had spiky-brown hair, and gray eyes; the colour of onyx.
Sarah, another ten year old, had fiery-red hair, like her brother, which fell to her shoulders, and cocoa-brown irises. She wore a pink tunic, with a red sash around it, a red skirt and pink shoes.
Elle, the youngest ten year old, wore a knee-length fuchsia dress, with baby-blue trimming, and blue sandals with pink floral designs on them. Her ash-blonde hair was in a bun on her head, and she had teal eyes.
"There you are!" said Zoe to Sarah. "Your mother's looking for you."
"Sorry," replied the red-head. "We just wanted to see the Fairy postman coming in to land. It's nice weather today, so we were hoping he would be in full size."
Zoe smiled at this. She turned to her brother. "Eddward, why don't you use your telescope to see if you can spot Sesil."
Edd complied, and reached into his (hammerspace) tunic pocket. He pulled out a very ornately decorated telescope, with golden plating and silver patterns on it. He walked to the edge of the viewing platform, and put the telescope to his eye. He looked up into the sky, and saw their region's Fairy postman, Sesil, hovering in the air. He wore his traditional red tunic and shorts, as well as flying goggles and a postman's hat. He was about to fly in, when he looked up, and started flying away very quickly. Edd looked up even further, and gasped at what he saw.
A huge monster was flying in the sky! It had a scaly, reptilian body, the colour of bright toxic-green poison, and bat-like, feather-covered wings. It's eyes were amber, and glinted ferociously at it's outstretched claws. Edd focused the lens, and gasped again in astonishment. A person was being held in the monsters claws!
"Everyone, look up!" commanded Edd. The others did so, and were shocked to see the bird. They were even more surprised when the boom like that of thunder resonated in the air, and a cannonball slammed into the bird! It's sourced was that of a large luxurious looking ship heading towards the isle-an Imperial Ship! The shock of being hit caused the bird to release whatever it was carrying, and it flew swiftly away.
The person fell and fell, and they landed on the woodland islet on the northern coast of the island. The kids were too stunned to utter a sound, until Edd spoke.
"We have to help her!" he cried, and he and Ed brandished their training swords.
"You're right!" said Zoe. She turned to the youngsters: "You guys stay here. We'll be back soon!" Zoe, Edd and Ed raced down the stairwell, and then to Jungle Isle…
ooo
"This place gives me the creeps," muttered Zoe, as she and the boys stood at the entrance to the forest. It was a dark, ominous place, with unordinary sounds emitting from the tropical island.
"I know," gulped Edd, "but we must rescue that poor individual!" And with that, they walked into the forest.
It was dark and spooky, and the trees were close together. After a few minutes of walking, they saw the person hanging on a tree branch. It was a teenage girl, and she wore a simple red dress with white trimming, and red pumps. Her hair was in a bun (it was blonde) and her eyes were closed. The kids hurried towards her, when a strange growling filled the air. Suddenly, three goblins emerged from the undergrowth! They advanced towards the trio, and the fight began.
Ed charged at one, swinging at it with his sword. It ducked, and attempted to claw his face. He dodged, and swung at the creatures back. It fell forward, and Ed slammed his sword down on it. The goblin vanished in a cloud of darkness.
One goblin charged at Edd, and swung it's fist at him. He sidestepped to the right, and struck his sword on it's left arm. The creature shrieked, and jumped onto Edd. Edd attempted to swat it off, but the creature began to kick at his face. With a mighty push, Edd managed to get the goblin off of him. It landed on a tree, and, before it had time to get up, Edd had killed it by stabbing it in the chest.
Zoe faced the last goblin. It sensed she didn't have a proper weapon, but it was still wary-so it began to circle her. Zoe circled the goblin as well, while also preparing to wield her secret weapon-magic! She put her hands together, and closed her eyes. Though she and Doe had practised training fights against each other, Zoe had never used magic to attack a monster. She began to collect her thoughts, and started to think.
Just stay calm…Remember what Lady Doe said: "Use the Elements around you to you gain power.
Zoe parted her hands slightly, and felt the power of magic rise within her. The young mage breathed one last time, before casting her spell.
"Water!"
A blue bubble merged in her hands, and Zoe pointed it at the goblin. A jet of pure water burst from her hands, and slammed into the goblin. The monster slammed into a tree trunk. Zoe cast her second spell.
"Nature!"
Vines covered in thorns began to slither in from the undergrowth, acting like snakes. They wrapped around the goblin and tree trunk, and began to tighten mercilessly. The goblin shrieked and squealed, but it was already to late-it gasped, and vanished in a cloud of shadow.
"Yes!" cried Ed. "We beat the goblins!"
"We are so totally awesome!" squealed Zoe.
"I agree-we kicked goblin behind!" beamed Edd.
"Ooooh…"groaned an unsteady voice from behind them. The trio of teenagers turned, and saw the girl stirring. She crawled onto her feet, and gazed around the forest, though her gray eyes were foggy. "Where am I?"
A crack filled the air, and the girls eyes instantly lost their fogginess. Before anyone could act, the branch underneath her snapped, and the girl began to fall to the hard earth below!
"EEEEEEEKKKKKKK!!!!!!! HELP MEEEE!!!"
"I'll save the fair damsel-in-distress!" declared Ed, and he ran over to the girl's shadow on the ground. A cloud of dust rose when she landed. It cleared, and Zoe and Edd saw Ed lowering the girl onto the ground, from on his head..
"There ya go, missy!" he smiled.
"Thank you!" she cried, jumping in joy. Then she regained herself, and cleared her throat. "Well, I must say that this has been a rather eventful day. Firstly I'm on my ship, travelling to Floriana Island, then the next minute I'm absconded with by a giant lizard-bird, and now I'm falling off a tree on some forest island! Oh my, please excuse my unintelligent rambling,…?"
"I'm Ed! Ed Baxter!"
"My name is Eddward Cardsworth, but my peers call me Double D."
"My name is Zoe Cardsworth; Eddward and I are twins."
"How delightful!" said the girl. "My name is Vinette Lilian Bernadette Alcroria, Princess of Alcroria."
"Your Majesty!" bowed the others, and Vinette tutted.
"Really, there is no need for that nonsense." She suddenly gasped. "Oh dear! Captain Cowser must be wondering where I am!" She ran off, and called back to the others, "Thanks for rescuing me, Ed, Zoe and Eddward! I'm very grateful!" She ran away, and the others decided to go home.
ooo
At the entrance to the forest, the trio met Vinette talking with an old, heavily-armoured knight.
"Ah, Cowser!" she said. "These are the people who rescued me! Eddward, Zoe and Ed, I'd like you to meet Captain Horatio Cowser, my personal guard and a very dear friend of mine!" Cowser nodded at them, when a feminine voice filled the air:
"Ed! Mom wants you!"
The group turned, and saw Sarah and Elle running across the rope bridge towards them. Jimmy and Tomas were a fair distance behind.
"That's my sister, the red-head," explained Ed to Vinette and Cowser.
The girls were halfway across the bridge when tragedy dealt it's swift, evil blow. A giant beating sound crossed the sky, and the lizard-bird, Vinette's kidnapper, swooped down from the sky. It sighted Sarah and Elle, and swooped down to them. It clutched them with it's claws, and began to fly away. The girls were screaming for help:
"EEEEDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!! HELP ME, BIG BROTHERRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!"
"GUYS! HELP US, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!! HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPP!!!"
Their screams for help were already growing fainter, as the bird flew off with them. Ed screamed for his sister.
"SARAH!"
He began to run after the bird; however, he reached the edge of the cliff, and he began to fall. Edd and Cowser instantly grabbed him, and attempted to hoist him up. They got him back onto firm land, and stepped away from the shaking boy. His head was bowed, and he was trembling violently. He looked up after the reptilian bird, and his streaming eyes were bloodshot -red. The rage and sorrow building in him, Ed screamed out for his kidnapped sister.
"SARAAAAHH!!!!!!"
ooo
AN: I hope you think well of this first chapter. If you would like extra information on the general "Edventure" series, then check it out on Ed, Edd n Eddy Fanon Wiki Fan-fiction category.