Here is the first chapter. There will be ten in total.
The first two are mainly for getting to know the characters and the situation… Also some cute Lexa and Costia moments…
At the bottom I posted some information that you might have missed since there are a lot of OCs. I'll also write every character's age and a faceclaim for all the original characters.
I would be thrilled if you'd leave me a review. I appreciate compliments as well as criticism (only constructive).
English isn't my first language, so sorry for the gramma and the poor vocabulary. Try to focus on the idea more than on the execution.
Once again I repeat LUNA is NOT a Nightblood. Floukru are like any other clan they just leave on the sea coast.
Being late is like saying that you're more important than the person waiting for you. And if you make that kind of statement, you better be ready to back it. That's what Trini's mother always said to her and it was the only thing going through her mind as she was running mindlessly to the Throne Room of the tower. Yeah, it was easy for her mother to say that. She was the Commander so she was without doubt the most important person in the known world. And she waited for no one.
Trini stormed into the Throne Room to find it empty. This made absolutely no sense. Her mother was supposed to listen to petitions today and wanted Trini by her side. Trini of course hated every minute of it. Listening to people complain for hours, and then not actually helping them but threatening or lying. Terrible.
Trini was the Main Natblida. The best warrior of all the Nightbloods. The one destined to become Heda one day. That meant she was the Commander's second, and had to attend all meetings with her since she was a child. If this wasn't bad enough already, the Commander was her mother so she was extra though on her.
The reason she was late was… Well, she really didn't want to come. She was in combat training and lost track of time. She always preferred that part of preparing for command. She was a skilled fighter and she knew it.
Suddenly, she heard the door open. She turned around and saw her mother entering in a hurry.
"Moba ai don non kom op gon taim, Heda. [I'm sorry I didn't arrive on time, Commander.]" she spoke and bowed.
"Oso na lan gonasleng op. [We will use English.]" her mother commanded.
"Alright. But why?"
"We have guests from other clans. I have summoned them."
"Why?"
"I could ask you WHY you are late, but I won't. Now follow me. I need my seken [second] by my side."
Trini followed her mother out of the room.
"You're seriously not going to tell me?" Trini asked.
"If you arrived in time you would know. There's been an attack on Sandkru. Frikru is getting out of control again. So I have summoned all the representatives here to decide whether to fight back."
Takoma kom Trikru commanded eight clans from the capital Polis. There were another four close by, that refused to join the coalition. And then there was Frikru. There was not a single boy or girl in any clan that didn't hear the stories of the infamous thirteenth clan. They'd come in the dead of night, riding their black horses, firing their guns and take children, as well as, grown men from their beds, steal whatever they could find and kill anyone that tried to fight back. How much truth there was in these stories? Trini had no idea. Her hate for the clan had much deeper roots. Ten years ago her father was killed in one of those attacks, so she was always quick to condemn them.
"Something has to be done." Trini mumbled, reliving all the pain of her dad's passing in her head.
"That is not for you to decide. I need you to go and receive the Ice Nation representatives and show them to their rooms."
"I think I'd do better with Floukru."
"You will do as you are told, Trini. I know Luna from Floukru is your friend, but as a future commander you must learn that you cannot spend time only with people you like. There will come a time you'll have to make peace and even break bread with people you completely despise."
"Your wish is my command." Trini left her mother and started walking down the staircase. Damn. She was hoping to spend a nice evening with her best friend Luna, but now instead she'll have to be polite to Azgeda and their obnoxious queen.
Lexa and Costia sat a bit lower on the stairs. They've spent almost the entire morning on the hunt for a lizard and they finally caught one. Trikru warriors rarely have a chance to spend time with animals they're not going to eat after. That is why having a pet was such an appealing idea to the girls.
They were carefully observing the lizard's reactions to the new environment they'd brought him to when Trini spotted them.
"Lexa, could you come here for a second?" Trini called out for her little sister.
"What?"
"What are you doing here? You should be training. Both of you."
Lexa was a Natblida like her mother and her big sister, so skipping even one day of training could bring serious consequences. Costia on the other hand could disappear completely and no one except her best friend Lexa would notice. Her parents were simple hunters. They disappeared in the woods when she was about four years old and she's been practically living at the tower with Lexa ever since. Both Trini and Lexa thought of her as part of their family.
"It's not our fault. Anya told us she can't train us today. She said she had something to do." Lexa defended herself.
Trini knew exactly what was going on. Anya, Lexa's master, would mysteriously disappear into the forest every time Azgeda came to town. This could only mean one thing. She was in a relationship with someone from there. And that was not accepted in neither of the two clans. Azgeda was not part of the coalition and were generally despised by other clans.
"Now listen to me, striksis [little sister]. You two have to leave the tower right now because if mother sees you, Anya will be in a lot of trouble." Trini ordered.
"But where will we go?" Costia asked.
"Go into the forest and play. And release that lizard or mother will throw it from the top of the tower like she said. Where do you keep finding them anyway?"
"I don't think she would really throw it from the tower. I could keep it in my room and we'd feed it, and clean after it…" Lexa took the little beastie into her hands and held it close to Trini.
"I'm sorry. It just won't work. And it will be happier in the wild with its friends. Now let's move!"
All three of them started walking down the stairs.
They almost reached the exit undetected but were waylaid by Queen Nia. She was in the company of two guards and her second Ontari.
The clans had a lot of meetings so all the leaders and seconds knew each other well. Most of them were lifelong friends, like Trini and Luna, but Azgeda were not the most sociable people. Ontari was around ten, just like Lexa and Costia but never spent time with them. Nia taught her games were for fools. She wanted the little girl to be completely loyal to her and dedicated to becoming a warrior.
Upon seeing the Queen, Lexa hid the lizard behind her back and made the most suspicious smile ever. This made Trini chuckle.
"Something funny, Main Natblida?" asked Nia. Trini took a long look at the older woman. She did always find the woman's crown made out of bones funny, but this was hardly the time to mention that. She took a deep breath and appeared to be serious again.
"Not at all. I was sent by the Commander to show you to your rooms." she said finally.
"It seems that Takoma will never stop insulting me. She summons me here like I'm one of the worms that give up their freedom to bow down for her. And then she doesn't even come to greet me but sends three little girls."
"I'm assuring you, Heda is extremely busy and won't be receiving anyone today, but she sent me, her daughter, especially for you."
"I see. And will her other daughter be receiving as well?"
"No. Lexa's on her way… Out."
"Unbelievable. There are children just wandering about. You Trikru really must begin disciplining them before it's too late."
"Our children are as well-disciplined as yours." Takoma came out of nowhere.
"Speaking of children, where is your son, Prince Roan? I suppose he too is roaming about, unattended." she added.
"He is a young, twenty-five-year-old man, not a child. He'll be here if I call him."
At that moment the lizard from Lexa's hand jumped on her back and started climbing her shirt. Costia realized this and tried to catch it without looking suspicious. She pretended to pat her friend's back. Trini knew she had to create a diversion.
"Heda, the Queen had some complaints about the meeting."
"Yes", Nia started, "We were summoned like we were your subjects, but Azgeda has not joined the coalition and never will."
"I do not understand why you're so opposed to this. You will yield in the end. Everyone needs the protection and stability of the coalition." Takoma put a hand on Trini's shoulder.
Costia's finally returned the lizard to Lexa's hands, still hidden behind her back.
"Not while I live! You will not destroy the dynasty and culture we have built."
"And we do not wish to. I just want what's best for the people."
"You made the clans all learn Trigedasleng and forsake the language their mothers thought them."
After saying that, Nia proclaimed something in Azgeda's mother tongue, called Mahrazhilekh. It was known as almost impossible to learn if you weren't born in the Ice Nation. Even some locals had problems with it. The pronunciations were a nightmare, the grammar was kitschy and even when it was done perfectly it just sounded like a lot of noise. Trini was fluent in many languages of the clans, and knew at least a few words from each one except Mahrazhilekh. It was all racket to her, so she couldn't make out what the Queen was saying to Ontari. Later she found out their conversation went a little something like this:
"I want what's best for the people, too. And that is your death, you miserable bitch."
"You should end her fight right now, master. Save us all."
"I should. I could spare us the torture of listening to her ramble."
Then out of nowhere Costia answered back in Mahrazhilekh which sounded, as much as Trini could tell, flawless.
"You will not speak about our Commander like that, nor will you threaten her life in her own capital. You say another disrespectful word to her in any language and you'll wish you hadn't."
Everyone was shocked by what they've heard. Sure, Costia was kind and friendly as well as funny, but they never perceived her as helpful. Takoma only considered her a burden until this moment.
"Costia you…" Trini tried to form a question.
"My mother thought me. You never asked so I never told," Costia made the most sincere smile and turned towards Takoma, "I have lectured the Queen about the importance of respect, Heda."
This was one of those rare occasions when Takoma was caught off guard, but she regained control quickly.
"Very well. What are you two doing here anyway? You should be training." she looked straight at her younger daughter.
"We were here for a reason…"
"Lexa forgot her knife. They were just getting back to Anya." Trini cut off her little sister.
"Go on then." Takoma believed the lie.
"And you Nia can either follow my daughter to your room or be taken to the dungeons, your choice." she continued.
The girls ran out of the building while Trini took the Ice Nation representatives to one of the top floors.
After Trini showed everyone where they'll be staying, it was just her and Nia. Alone.
"So, this is your room. You can call me if you need anything and I'll see to it that you get it." Trini opened the door of the room hoping the Queen will enter, ending this awkward situation. She didn't.
"Don't you ever get tired of being treated like this? Like a maid or a servant?"
"We all serve out Commander." Trini wasn't about to fall into a trap like that.
"But a competent, young Natblida like you? You're one of the best warriors in the clans at only seventeen, there's a bright future in front of you. Your mother is just holding you back with these demeaning jobs. Now, I would never let your talents go to waste like that."
"My mother is trying to teach me how to handle diplomacy, which is a valuable skill if I'm to ever be Heda. Now I must leave you."
Trini walked away. She was told repeatedly by her mother that every word that comes out of Nia's mouth is an attempt to manipulate and get her own way. She knew this was the case today, but couldn't help but wonder about what she's heard. She would have never said those words aloud, but Nia made some good points. She did feel from time to time like she wasn't appreciated.
Lexa and Costia have already made it to the woods and were sitting in the grass.
"Bye little friend, we'll miss you." Lexa said her farewell to the little reptile and set it carefully onto the ground. Costia put a hand on her shoulder. The little animal didn't move a muscle.
"Go on now. Go." Lexa pushed it gently with her hand. It still didn't move much.
"Come on, run! Run you useless toad!" Lexa screamed.
Costia could see her friend was overly upset. She wanted to help but talking would just make things worse. Lexa could rarely explain what was upsetting her. Instead Costia decided to start a game of tag. They ended up having a lot of fun. They didn't even realize they were going further and further away from Polis.
In the tower Trini finally ran into Luna on the steps.
"I've been looking all over for you." Luna said and hugged her friend.
"I really don't want to talk about what kept me. I actually want to forget it."
"Perfect timing, then. Should we do it today?"
"I've got the equipment in my room. Let's go."
The top of the tower with the flame was reserved only for the Commander and the Flamekeeper. There were two guards guarding the entrance at all times. That's why Trini and Luna devised a plan about a month ago to climb on the side of the building and see the top anyway. Today was finally the day.
"Are you sure about this, Trini?" said Luna, getting more nervous as the moment was approaching.
"Getting scared, are we?" Trini smiled leaning through the window to check out the situation.
"No, of course not. I just think we ought to take some more time and plan."
"We have a plan. Now we need a shooter." Trini handed her friend a bow and an arrow with a hook for a head and a rope attached to it. She was supposed to climb outside through the window, being held on a rope by Trini, and fire the arrow at the top.
"Why me?" Luna asked.
"You're the better archer. We can't miss."
"Why not?"
"Because, what goes up, must come down."
Luna didn't want to betray her friend, but all she could think about was how she was going to come down. She just stood there, frozen in place.
"All right, I'm doing it. Just don't drop me." Trini tied one end of the rope around her waist and handed the other to Luna. In a few seconds she was out and making the shot. The arrow hooked perfectly.
"Can you join me now?" Trini asked already holding onto the new rope leading to the top. Luna didn't say a word but started climbing.
"Trini, you know how you said we shouldn't look down?"
"Yeah."
"I did."
"Just don't let go and you'll be fine."
"Maybe this is enough for today."
"Oh, come on! You can climb back down but I promise you'll be happy when you reach the top."
"This was a bad idea. We are not meant to be this high. We are Trikru and Floukru. We belong down there with our feet on the ground."
Trini didn't answer. Luna took a deep breath and continued going upward. Soon they reached the roof. Trini helped Luna up.
The sun was just setting as they watched the beautiful scenery set before them.
"No wonder your mother doesn't want to share this with anyone else. It makes you feel so powerful." said Luna.
"Who wouldn't want to take it all for themselves after seeing this?"
"We made it, wooo!" Luna screamed and jumped in excitement.
"That's right! Be careful world because today we are Skaikru!" Trini exclaimed.
They continued jumping and yelling in ecstasy.
So this is kind of a collection of all the important facts so you can follow the story further:
The current Commander is called Takoma. (faceclaim - Ming-Na Wen)
She is the mother of Trini (17 years old, faceclaim – Chloe Bennet) and Lexa (10 years old, younger Alycia Debnam-Carey). Both girls are Nightbloods.
Anya is Lexa's master and Indra is Trini's. Nia is a master to Ontari (9 years old, faceclaim – Ava Acres).
Costia (10 years old, faceclaim – Kyla Kenedy) is an orphan and lives with them.
The Coalition only has 8 clans the rest are separate. There is this group called Frikru that everyone fears and no one knows much about.