Author's Note

Hi everyone, thanks for taking your time to read my first attempt at a story! I've never quite felt brave enough to publish anything before but have now decided what the heck?!

I have spent quite a lot of time reading and being inspired by other people's stories on here and thought that I'd quite like a go, so here is that 'go' I guess! Hope it's not too shabby :P.

And with further ado, I hope you enjoy the (shortish) prologue! Let me know what you think!

He knew he couldn't keep him locked up forever. What he didn't know was when he would escape. As he looked out the elegant window, he scoffed at the irony of it all. The master of time didn't know when something would happen. Of course, looking back, agreeing to be responsible for a being that existed outside of time was a bad idea. If one studied close enough, an emotion close to that of regret ghosted across the time master's face, though it was quickly hidden again under his emotionless mask as his musings were interrupted.

Clockwork was used to the interference of his employers. In fact, they regularly checked up on him for some unknown reason, much to the annoyance of the time master. Today, however, he knew exactly what their visit would be about.. and he was not looking forward to it.

"Clockwork."

Deciding to keep his gaze on the window, Clockwork didn't reply straight away. Honestly, he'd prefer to ignore these bumbling beings altogether but they were not going to give him much choice in the matter.

"He has escaped Clockwork." There, that dull voice echoed again and although it was not a question, it clearly demanded an answer.

"Do not presume that these events have gone unnoticed by me." At this, Clockwork finally shifted his gaze to rest on his employers as he continued, "I am fully aware of his escape and I am also aware of the events that will now unfold."

"Then you are also aware that this can simply not be allowed to happen. He must be stopped."

"And by that, you are asking me to interfere with the time line." True, he had interfered with the time line before but it is not something he liked to do haphazardly. It was something he liked to intricately plan which could take a lot of time. Fortunately, time was something the time master had plenty of and unbeknown to his employers, his 'plan' was already half formulated. "I do not do so lightly. Know that by asking me rather than taking action yourself, you allow me to do this my way, with no interference from you."

At this, his employers seemed to take a couple of moments to decide the best way to respond. Their employee's secretive ways had always been frustrating, but now, it was down-right irritating. All existence could be threatened by his escape and all Clockwork could do was spin them riddles. However, they did know better than to engage in an argument against the time master and as their lone, bulging eyes, seemed to twitch mercilessly for a few seconds, they concluded to respond in one way. Degradation.

"Your duty is to the time line and your incredible abilities at willing time make you a very useful accomplice for us to guard all existence. However, need we also remind you of our superiority and your duty to us."

"I have no duty to you. I have a duty to guard time and hence existence. Being that your oath to protect existence means it benefits the both of us to work with each other, do not assume any superiority over me." As the time master finished with scarcely an emotion crossing his eyes, he floated over to the gleaming orb that stood pride of place in the centre of the grand hall. "As you full well know I cannot decide what people chose. But I can give them all they need to make the right choices and this is what I will do for a second time."

"This is not simply about the right and wrong choices Clockwork! This is about the protection of an entire species!" Now their employee sounded absolutely loopy! Was it not obvious that this could not be solved with a few subtle hints?! They needed to act. And fast. Unfortunately, Clockwork was the only one who could act in these circumstances and his obliviousness, in their mind, to the gravity of this situation was incomprehensibly frustrating! Their inner struggle was cut short by that all too familiar voice.

"I do not and will not personally chose what path the time line takes. Therefore, no dire action will be taken by me. Let me remind you of a time where you and your narrow minded thinking barged into my life once before demanding one young teenage boy be eliminated to save all existence. But all he needed were a few simple nudges to keep him away from his dark future. And even though now, his dark future appears to once again be threatening the time line, I will not react in any rash manner that you believe necessary. Rather I'd prefer to let human beings have their own free will in the manner. You still do not give their free will enough credit even though I've proven once before that it is very powerful."

Internally, Clockwork scalded himself for giving his speech. He never was a fan of sentences longer than 5 words generally. Externally, his calm demeanour faltered, anger seeping through the thin cracks but these were promptly patched back up before his unaware employers noticed any sign of emotion.

The two green one-eyed beings simply looked on as Clockwork delivered his speech. Clockwork was set on doing things his way and they would not be able to sway him. Although they may not trust him, they did trust he would do what he could to protect his precious time line. "You play a risky game Clockwork but very well. He is your responsibility and if you believe you can solve this with 'a nudge' as you call it, so be it. But know we will always be watching."

With this Clockwork's employers left through the window of which he had spent most of his time gazing. He briefly watched them go before turning his attention back to the orb in which a mist seemed to be forming.

"And never acting." The Time Master completed. "Yes, a few simple nudges... though perhaps in a different direction this time."

The mist cleared to show a middle aged man, with his grey hair tied back in a pony tail sleeping on a lavish bed that was clearly bought with a sum of money incomprehensible to most people. The man softly snored, oblivious to the forthcoming events in which he would almost certainly play a pivotal part in.

Author's Note

So you made it to the bottom? Couldn't have been that bad then... I hope lol!

Anyway, as I said this is my first attempt so go easy on me! That being said, I'd love to read any feedback you have and if people seem to like it, I might consider updating :P.

Psshh... To be honest, I'll probably update anyway so you can disregard that last comment hehe!

Thanks again!